JP2669572B2 - Printing plate transporter - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing plate transporting device for continuously exposing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate in a direct printing plate device after exposing it to a developing section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter, referred to as a "printing plate") used in an offset rotary press for newspapers is prepared by applying an organic optical semiconductor to a conductive support such as an aluminum plate. Layered OPC (Organic Photo Cond
uctor) There is a direct plate making recording system using what is called a light-sensitive material. In such a direct plate making recording system, since the support is charged during exposure, if it comes into contact with a conductive member such as a metal after exposure, an electrostatic image formed by exposure is disturbed, so care must be taken in handling.

In general, a large number of printing plates are stored or transported while being stacked on a mounting table. When a printing plate is supplied to an exposure apparatus, the printing plate is loaded together with the mounting table facing a plate supply apparatus provided adjacent to the exposure apparatus. The printing plates stacked on the mounting table are sequentially supplied to the exposure device from the uppermost layer by the plate feeding device.

The exposure apparatus is provided with a surface plate, on which a printing plate having a photosensitive surface directed upward is placed.
It is positioned at a predetermined position. After the printing plate positioned on the surface plate is charged, it is exposed to laser light or the like modulated according to the original image to form an electrostatic latent image. The printing plate on which the electrostatic latent image is formed is taken out from the surface plate and sent to the developing section.

By the way, the printing plate is taken out from the surface plate of the exposure device by the plate discharging device and is continuously fed to the developing portion to form a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image. In the developing section, in order to form a toner image according to the electrostatic latent image, the toner particles are uniformly applied and attached to the entire photosensitive surface of the printing plate.

[0006]

However, when the printing plate sent to the developing section is sent in a state of being inclined with respect to the width direction of the conveyance, the printing plate is moved along the predetermined conveying path in the developing section. It may not be transported reliably. Therefore, uneven adhesion of toner particles may occur on the surface of the printing plate.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and provides a printing plate transporting device capable of sending out a photosensitive lithographic printing plate without inclining with respect to the widthwise direction of transportation and inserting it into a developing section. The purpose is to do.

[0008]

A printing plate transporting device according to claim 1 of the present invention is a printing plate transporting device for transporting a photosensitive lithographic printing plate having a photoconductive photosensitive layer. The stage on which the printing plate is placed, and the photosensitive member placed on the stage by being moved in a direction that is provided at both ends in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction and one is set as a reference position and the other approaches the reference position. Positioning means for determining the position of the lithographic printing plate, and pressing means for providing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate by transporting the photosensitive lithographic printing plate by moving the pressing member, comprising a pressing member abutting on the rear end side in the transport direction of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, It is characterized by having.

A printing plate transporting device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a printing plate transporting device for transporting a photosensitive lithographic printing plate exposed by an exposure device toward a developing section, which is adjacent to the developing section. And a stage on which the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is placed, and both ends in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction to the developing unit, and one of them is a reference position and the other is moved in a direction of approaching the reference position. The photosensitive lithographic printing plate placed on the stage by positioning means for positioning the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and a pressing member that abuts on the rear end surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate in the transport direction. Pressing means for pushing the planographic printing plate toward the developing section.

A printing plate transporting device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the printing plate transporting device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the positioning means is composed of rollers, and the outer peripheral surfaces of these rollers are the photosensitive material. The photosensitive lithographic printing plate is brought into contact with an end face of the lithographic printing plate, rotated together with the transport of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and guided in the transport direction.

A printing plate carrying device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the printing plate carrying device according to the first to third aspects, wherein at least the photosensitive planographic printing plate of the upper surface of the stage, the pressing member and the positioning means is provided. It is characterized in that the contacting portion with and is formed of a non-conductive member.

[0012]

The printing plate transporting device according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises:
After the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is placed on the stage, the printing plate is pushed by the pressing member and conveyed. One end of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate placed on this stage is positioned at a reference position in the width direction of conveyance by the positioning means. Therefore, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is conveyed on the stage without shifting along the width direction.

The photosensitive lithographic printing plate applied to the printing plate transport device has an organic photoconductive photosensitive layer.
In the printing plate transporting device of the present invention, if the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is placed on the stage with the photosensitive surface facing upward, it can be transported without contacting the photosensitive surface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing plate transport apparatus for transporting a photosensitive lithographic printing plate placed on a stage to a developing section. The photosensitive lithographic printing plate placed on this stage has one end in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction to the developing section positioned by the positioning means, and the pressing member abutting on the rear end side in the conveying direction moves from the stage to develop. Sent to the department.

That is, in the rectangular photosensitive lithographic printing plate, the end portion in the direction orthogonal to the inserting direction is positioned at a predetermined position and inserted into the developing portion, so that the width direction of the conveying path in the developing path is wide. There is no protrusion.

In the printing plate conveying apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention, rollers are provided at both ends in the width direction of the conveying as positioning means. The photosensitive lithographic printing plate is positioned on the stage by approaching the roller on the other end with the roller on the one end as a reference position.

Further, these rollers can guide the photosensitive lithographic printing plate without damaging the photosensitive lithographic printing plate when the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is conveyed by the movement of the pressing member.

In the printing plate transport device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a portion that comes into contact with the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is formed by a non-conductive member. Therefore, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is
Even with a PC photosensitive material, the distribution of charges in the support of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is not disturbed.

The positioning member, the pressing member of the pressing unit, and the stage are made of a non-conductive member such as a synthetic resin or a ceramic at a portion contacting the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. In the printing plate transporting apparatus of the present invention, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is placed on the stage with the photosensitive surface facing upward, and the pressing means and the positioning means are brought into contact with the end surface adjacent to the photosensitive surface. Therefore, there is no contact with the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. Therefore, the latent image of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate formed by the exposure device is not disturbed, and the photosensitive surface is not left behind after being brought into contact with a roller or the like. Further, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is reliably transported along the transport path in the developing section, and the toner particles are evenly applied to the entire photosensitive surface.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An outline of a direct printing plate apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

The printing plate 20 used in the present embodiment is a rectangular OPC direct printing plate. An aluminum plate having a thickness of about 0.3 mm is used as a conductive support, and one surface of the aluminum plate is used as a photosensitive surface. An anodized layer for
An OPC layer mainly composed of an OPC alkali-soluble polymer having a thickness of several microns and coating the upper surface thereof. The size of the conductive support, that is, the size of the printing plate 20 is 398 (mm) as a printing plate for newspaper printing.
× 1120 (mm) (for two pages of newsprint). In addition,
The dimensions of the printing plate 20 are, for example, 398 (mm) × 560
(Mm) (for one page of newsprint) is also applicable, and dimensions other than these may be used.

The arrow A direction shown in each figure corresponds to the width direction of the printing plate 20, and the arrow B direction corresponds to the printing plate 2.
0 in the longitudinal direction. In the direct printing plate apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when the printing plate 20 is transported to an adjacent processing unit, the printing plate 20 is translated in the width direction or the longitudinal direction of the printing plate 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the direct printing plate apparatus 10 includes a plate supply unit 12 that supplies a printing plate 20 to a drawing unit 18 as an exposure unit, and discharges the printing plate 20 from the drawing unit 18. Plate discharging unit 1 composed of a plate discharging unit 14
6 is provided. The plate supply unit 12 is loaded with a printing plate mounting table 38 on which the printing plates 20 are stacked. Printing plate mounting table 38
Has the printing plate 20 stacked and mounted on a mounting table 40 substantially parallel to the floor surface. Printing plate 20 mounted
The printing plate mounting table 38 has a photosensitive surface directed downward.
Is loaded into a predetermined position of the plate feeding section 12, whereby the printing plate 20 is positioned with respect to the plate feeding section 12.

The loading and unloading of the printing plate mounting table 38 into and from the plate supply unit 12 is performed by a shutter (not shown) provided in the casing 16A. Normally, the shutter is closed and the inside is shielded from light. The printing plate mounting table 38
May be moved by a forklift or the like, or may be movable by a caster or the like provided at the bottom.

The plate feeding section 12 is provided with a sheet-feeding device 102 and a reversing device 104, and the printing plate 20 mounted on the printing plate-mounting table 38 is lifted up by being sucked and held on the upper surface by the sheet-feeding device 102. Delivered to device 104. The reversing device 104 rotates while sucking and holding one end of the printing plate 20 in the width direction, whereby the printing plate 20 is reversed and the photosensitive surface is directed upward.

The plate feeding section 12 is provided with a lift table 300 and a horizontal transfer device 106.
The printing plate 20 which is turned over is placed on the lift table 300. After the printing plate 20 placed on the lift table 300 is positioned with respect to the lift table 300, it is transferred to the horizontal transfer device 106. The printing plate 20 is supported on the lower surface by a plurality of claws of the horizontal transfer device 106, and is transferred onto the platen 408 of the drawing unit 18 provided adjacent to the plate supply unit 12.

After the printing plate 20 placed on the surface plate 408 of the drawing unit 18 is charged, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive surface by the drawing device. Printing plate 20 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed
Is moved from the surface plate 408 by the take-out device 450 toward the plate discharge unit 14 provided adjacent to the drawing unit 18 and above the plate supply unit 12. The plate discharging section 14 includes a transfer stage 5 that is moved toward the drawing section 18 in the plate discharging section 14.
The printing plate 20 lifted by the take-out device 450 is placed on the transport stage 502.

Transport stage 502 on which printing plate 20 is placed
Is moved toward an insertion stage 532 provided in the plate discharging section 14 adjacent to the developing section 22. The printing plate 20 is transferred from the transport stage 502 to the insertion stage 532. As shown in FIG. 3, when the printing plate 20 is placed, the insertion stage 532 is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the developing unit 22, and then sends the placed printing plate 20 toward the developing unit 22. It has become. This insertion stage 53
The inclination angle of 2 is made equal to the inclination angle of the printing plate 20 conveyed near the insertion opening of the developing unit 22.

As shown in FIG. 1, a developing section 22 is connected to the plate supply / discharge section 16. The developing unit 22 includes a developing unit 24 for developing the printing plate 20 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, and a fixing unit 26 for fixing the developed printing plate 20. The printing plate 20 is applied with toner as a developing solution in the developing processing unit 24, and then the unnecessary toner is squeezed and dried. The developing method of the development processing unit 24 is performed by a reversal development method, and a toner having a positive charge is applied to the surface of the printing plate 20 that is positively charged by the drawing unit 18. Further, in the development processing section 24, when the toner particles are adhered, the toner particles are applied so as to flow on the surface of the printing plate 20, so that the toner particles are inclined at a predetermined angle so as to flow evenly on the surface of the printing plate 20. It is conveyed in the state where it was done. Developing unit 2
In the second fixing unit 26, the printing plate 20 is heated by a fixing lamp and then cooled. The heated toner particles are formed into a film and fixed on the surface of the printing plate 20.

An elution section 28 is provided downstream of the developing section 22. The elution unit 28 performs an etching process by applying an alkaline solution to the printing plate 20 on which the toner image is formed. As a result, the non-image portion of the printing plate 20, that is, the OPC layer other than the portion where the toner image is formed is eluted. Thereafter, the printing plate 20 is washed with the alkaline solution and the OPC layer, and is coated with a gum solution for protecting the plate surface.
The printing plate 20 to which the gum solution has been applied is dried in the drying unit 30 and then sent to the punching unit 32 and the plate bending unit 34 on the downstream side.

In the punching section 32, the printing plate 20 is positioned on a surface plate (not shown), and a notch and a round hole are formed at the end of the printing plate for positioning when the plate is mounted on a plate cylinder of a rotary press. In the plate bending portion 34, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the printing plate 20 are bent into respective predetermined shapes. Thereby, the printing plate 2
0 is positioned on the plate cylinder of the rotary press to enable plate hanging.

After the plate bending is completed, the printing plate 20 is placed in the plate music section 3.
It is discharged from 4 and stored. Next, the plate supply / discharge unit 16 to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plate supply / discharge unit 16 has the plate supply unit 12 disposed below and the plate discharge unit 14 disposed above, and is adjacent to the drawing unit 18. Plate feeding section 12
The plate discharging section 14 is shielded from light by a casing 16A, and is also separated from each other by a partition 13B (partially shown in FIG. 1). [Sheet Feeding Unit] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6, the plate feeding unit 12 is loaded with a printing plate mounting table 38 on which a large number of printing plates 20 are mounted. Above the printing platen 38, a sheet-feeding device 102 as a supply device 100 and a reversing device 104 are provided. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the single-wafer apparatus 102 is attached to a frame 108, and a reversing device 104 is provided on the drawing unit 18 side of the single-wafer apparatus 102. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a horizontal transport device 106 that transports the printing plate 20 supplied from the printing plate mounting table 38 by the supply device 100 to the drawing unit 18 is adjacent to the supply device 100. And is provided on the drawing unit 18 side.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the single-wafer apparatus 102 includes a plurality of support frames 110 which are assembled in a substantially rectangular shape and are disposed substantially horizontally. Sucker 112 and block 144 are arranged downward. The suction cup 112 is opposed to the vicinity of the central portion on the surface of the printing plate 20 on the uppermost layer of the printing plate mounting table 38, and the block 144 is provided with a support frame 110 for bringing the suction cup 112 into optimal contact with the printing plate 20. And the printing plate 20 is maintained at an interval. Sucker 112
When the negative pressure is supplied, the printing plate 20 is attracted.

The reversing device 104 is mounted on the support frame 110.
A support bar 114 is connected to the opposite end along the longitudinal direction of the printing plate 20. The support bar 114 is supported by the frame 108 of the plate supply unit 12 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

The frame 108 (not shown in FIG. 4) is provided with a pair of guide rods 118 at both ends along the longitudinal direction of the printing plate 20.

In the vicinity of the upper end of the guide rod 118 in the axial direction (upper side in the drawing of FIGS. 4 to 6), a shaft 120 is hung and supported by the frame 108 so as to be rotatable. A sprocket 122 is fixed to the shaft 120, and the sprocket 122 is rotatably supported by the frame 108 near the lower end of the guide rod 118. Chains 124 arranged along the axial direction of the guide rod 118 are wound around these sprockets 122, respectively.

The rodless cylinder 116 is provided with a drive block 126 which is moved up and down by driving the rodless cylinder 116.
6 is connected to the chain 124 via a bracket 126A. A block 128 is inserted through the guide rod 118 so as to be movable along the axial direction of the guide rod 118. This block 128 is connected to a chain 124 near the guide rod 118. Therefore, when the rodless cylinder 116 is driven by an air supply unit (not shown), the drive block 126 is moved, and the chain 124 and the shaft 120 are rotated.
Are moved in the same direction. The longitudinal ends of the support bars 114 of the support frame 110 are respectively connected to the guide rods 1.
18 and is movably supported by the block 18 and is in contact with the upper surface of the block 128 to be supported in a horizontal state. Therefore, when the rodless cylinder 116 is driven, the support frame 110 is translated in a horizontal state in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the support frame 110 of the sheet-feed apparatus 102 is provided with turn-up portions 130 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the printing plate 20. The turning portion 130 is provided with an air cylinder 134 and a pair of guide rods 136 on a substantially rectangular base plate 132. The air cylinder 134 and the pair of guide rods 136 are disposed so that their axial directions are parallel to each other along the vertical direction, and the drive shaft 134A of the air cylinder 134
It is connected to. Further, each of the pair of guide rods 136 has an intermediate portion inserted into a slide bearing 138 fixed to the base plate 132, and a lower end penetrating the base plate 132 is connected to the support frame 110.

Accordingly, when the air cylinder 134 is driven by air supplied from air supply means (not shown), the base plate 132
It is translated upward with respect to zero.

The base plate 132 is provided with a suction cup 140 to which a negative pressure supply means (not shown) is connected at a position corresponding to the longitudinal end of the printing plate 20, and an air cylinder 142 near the suction cup 140. . The drive shaft 142A of the air cylinder 142 projects downward through the base plate 132, and the drive shaft 142A projects downward from the tip of the suction cup 140 by driving the air cylinder 142.

As shown in FIG. 4, a plate detection sensor 146 is attached to the center of the support frame 110 so as to face the surface of the printing plate 20. The plate detection sensor 146 has a plurality of electrode pins (not shown) projecting downward. A printing plate 20 is attached to these electrode pins.
A change in the state of conduction between the electrode pins due to contact with the surface of the printing plate is detected, and the presence or absence of the printing plate 20 is detected.

In the single-wafer apparatus 102, the position moved to the upper end of the frame 108 is set as a standby position, the air cylinder 134 of the turning section 130 houses the drive shaft 134 A, and the suction cup 140 is provided on the support frame 110. The height is substantially the same as that of the sucker 112 provided. Further, the tip of the drive shaft 142A of the air cylinder 142 is located above the suction cup 140.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the single-wafer apparatus 1
02 lowers by the driving of the rodless cylinder 116, the suction cups 112, 140 and the block 144 come into contact with the uppermost printing plate 20, and the lowering of the support frame 110 is stopped. The rodless cylinder 116 further stops the drive block 126 by lowering it. When a negative pressure is supplied to the suction cups 112 and 140 in this state, the printing plate 20 is sucked.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the air cylinder 134 of the turning section 130 is driven, the end of the printing plate 20 is turned up by the suction cup 140 and the driving of the air cylinder 142 is performed. As a result, the vicinity of the end of the printing plate 20 turned up by the suction cup 140 is pushed down. As a result, the uppermost printing plate 20 to which the suction cups 112 and 140 are adsorbed is separated from the printing plate 20 adhered to the lower surface thereof, and only the uppermost printing plate 20 is sucked by the suction cup 11.
It is adsorbed on 2,140. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7C, the printing plate 20 sucked by the suction cups 112 and 140 is lifted by driving the rodless cylinder 116.

When the uppermost printing plate 20 and the lower printing plate 20 are separated from each other, air is supplied from the end wound on the suction cup 140 by an air nozzle or the like. It is preferable to separate the printing plate 20 from the printing plate 20 that is in close contact with the lower surface thereof. [Plate-Supplying Unit Reversing Device] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a pair of side plates 200 is extended above the frame 108 toward the drawing unit 18 side, and a frame member 202 is stretched over the frame 108. A frame 204 that supports the reversing device 104 is configured. The frame 204 includes the frame member 20.
2, a rodless cylinder 206 is attached to it. The rodless cylinder 206 is provided so that the driving direction is along the side plate 200. The drive unit 206A of the rodless cylinder 206 includes a reversing device 104
Is attached. The rodless cylinder 206 is driven by air supply means (not shown),
04 is moved along the side plate 200.

The reversing device 104 includes a support member 208 provided so as to be bridged between a pair of side plates 200, and a pair of side plate members 210 extending from both ends of the support member. . Side plate member 210 and frame 20
A guide (not shown) that supports the side plate member 220 and guides the side plate member 210 when the rodless cylinder 206 is driven is provided between the fourth side plate 200 and the fourth side plate 200.

A support shaft 212 is provided between the pair of side plate members 210, and a rotary cylinder 214 is provided on one side plate member 210. The support shaft 212 is supported by the pair of side plate members 210 so as to be rotatable and has one end connected to the rotary cylinder 214. The rotating cylinder 214 is moved to 1 by air supply means (not shown).
Each time the support shaft 212 is driven, the support shaft 212 is rotated by 180 ° in the direction of arrow C or in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow C.

The support shaft 212 is provided with an elongated hole 216 extending in the axial direction at one end in the axial direction.
In addition, a plurality of through holes 218 are formed between the elongated hole 216 and the other end in the axial direction. The long hole 216 and the through hole 218 are provided such that their axial directions are parallel to each other, and the sucker support member 220 is inserted and fixed to the support shaft 212. At the tip of the suction cup supporting member 220, a suction cup 222 connected to a negative pressure supply means (not shown) is attached so as to face in the same direction.

In the standby position at the end on the side of the single-wafer device 102, the reversing device 104 holds the suction cup 222 of the support shaft 212.
Is pointed downward. In this state, when the sheet-feeding device 102 holding the printing plate 20 by suction moves upward, the suction cup 222 of the support shaft 212 comes into contact with the end of the printing plate 20 in the width direction. When a negative pressure is supplied while the suction cup 222 of the reversing device 104 is in contact with the surface of the printing plate 20, the suction plate 222 sucks the printing plate 20. Thereafter, the single-wafer apparatus 10
When the supply of the negative pressure to the suction cups 112 and 140 is released,
The printing plate 20 is delivered to the reversing device 104.

The printing plate 20 has one end in the width direction sucker 222.
And is moved to the end on the drawing unit 18 side by driving the rodless cylinder 206 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 4 and 5). Further, the printing plate 20 is rotated in the direction of arrow C together with the support shaft 212 by driving the rotary cylinder 214. Thereby, the printing plate 20 supplied from the printing plate mounting table 38 to the drawing unit 18 has the photosensitive surface directed upward. [Supplying Horizontal Transporting Apparatus] As shown in FIG. 9, a lift table 300 is opposed to the lower side of the printing plate 20 which is inverted and supported by the inverting device 104. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, above the inverted printing plate 20, that is, above the lift table 300 above the plate feeding unit 12, the horizontal transport device 10 that moves between the plate feeding unit 12 and the drawing unit 18 is provided.
6 are provided.

The lift table 300 is a substantially rectangular planographic plate.
It is arranged substantially horizontally so that its longitudinal direction is along the longitudinal direction of the printing plate 20. The lift table 300 is supported by a frame 302 (shown only in FIG. 9) so as to be vertically movable in parallel.

A pair of guide rods 304 are attached to the frame 302 on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the lift table 300. Each guide rod 304 has an intermediate portion inserted into the slide bearing 306, and the slide bearing 306
Is movable along the vertical direction. Each of these slide bearings 306 is fixed to an end of the lift table 300 in the longitudinal direction.

Below the lift table 300, a shaft 308 is hung on a frame 302 along the longitudinal direction and rotatably supported. A pulley 310 is coaxially fixed to an intermediate portion of the shaft 308. An endless belt 316 is wound around the pulley 310 and a pulley 314 attached to a rotation shaft of a motor 312.

At both ends of the shaft 308, near the pair of guide rods 304, the sprocket 3
18 are attached. Each guide rod 304
A sprocket 320 is rotatably supported by the frame 302 in the vicinity of the upper end of the frame 302 in correspondence with the sprocket 318. A chain 322 provided along the axial direction of each guide rod 304 is wound around the sprocket 318 and the sprocket 320. Each of the chains 322 is connected to an end in the longitudinal direction of the lift table 300. Therefore, the drive of the motor 312 causes the shaft 308 and the chain 3
22 is rotated. The rotation of the chain 322 causes the lift table 300 to translate upward or downward along the guide rod 304.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, a rectangular deep notch 32 is provided at one end of the lift table 300 in the width direction.
4 and shallow notches 326 are continuously formed in a plurality of sets. These cutouts 324, 326 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction and at the middle. At the other end in the width direction of the lift table 300, a notch 328 is formed at a position corresponding to the notch 324 at the middle part in the longitudinal direction. At both ends in the longitudinal direction, notches 330 are formed from positions corresponding to the notches 324 to the ends. These notches 3
Reference numerals 24, 326, 328, and 330 are used to insert claws when transferring the printing plate 20 from the lift table 300 to the horizontal transport device 106 described below.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a roller 332 is linearly arranged along the longitudinal direction at the end of the lift table 300 in the width direction. A roller 334 is provided at an intermediate portion in the direction.
In addition, elongated holes 336 and 338 elongated in the longitudinal direction are formed at the center in the width direction at the other end in the longitudinal direction and at the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the lift table 300. A roller 340 is inserted into the elongated hole 336 at the end in the longitudinal direction, and protrudes from the upper surface of the lift table 300. This roller 3
Numeral 40 is connected to and supported by the tip of a drive shaft 342A of an air cylinder 342 attached to the lower surface of the lift table 300. For this reason, the roller 340 is moved along the longitudinal direction in the long hole 336 by the driving of the air cylinder 342, and the printing plate 2 placed on the lift table 300 is moved.
0 is pressed against the roller 334.

A roller 344 is provided in the elongated hole 338 at the center of the lift table 300 so as to be able to protrude and retract. The roller 344 is disposed upward on the lower surface of the lift table 300 and is attached to the tip of the drive shaft of the air cylinder 346. Further, the air cylinder 346 is connected to the lower end of the lift base 300 at the tip of the drive shaft 348A of the air cylinder 348 attached along the longitudinal direction of the lift base 300. For this reason, the roller 344 can be made to protrude and retract from the upper surface of the lift table 300 by the air cylinder 346, and the elongated hole 33 is formed by the air cylinder 348.
8 along the longitudinal direction.

Further, as shown in FIG.
00 near the position where the printing plate 20 is placed and raised,
A pair of air cylinders 350 is attached. The drive shaft 350A of these air cylinders 350 is directed inward in the width direction of the lift base 300,
The printing plate 20 placed on the lift table 300 is pressed toward the roller 332 by a roller 352 provided at the tip of 50A.

These are used for positioning the printing plate 20 with respect to the lift table 300, so that the printing plate 20 is temporarily positioned with respect to the drawing unit 18 by positioning the printing plate 20 with respect to the lift table 300. Has become.
That is, the printing plate 20 placed on the lift table 300 has its longitudinal end abutted against the roller 340 of the air cylinder 342, and the widthwise end thereof is abutted by the roller 352 of the pair of air cylinders 350. The roller abuts against the roller 332 and is positioned with respect to the lift table 300. The rollers 340 of the air cylinder 342 are used for positioning in the longitudinal direction of the printing plate 20 having a size of two newspapers, and the rollers 344 of the air cylinders 346 and 348 are
The roller 344 is used to position a printing plate having a size corresponding to one page of newspaper paper, and the roller 344 is usually positioned below the lift table 300.

The lower end of the lift table 300 is a standby position, a position facing the reversing device 104 is a delivery position, and a position facing the pair of air cylinders 350 is a positioning position. Is to be detected. [Horizontal Conveying Apparatus] As shown in FIG. 8, the horizontal conveying apparatus 106 includes a moving frame 354 assembled in a substantially rectangular shape and a plurality of pairs of chucks 3 provided on the moving frame 354.
56. The moving frame 354 is provided with a pair of flat support bars 358, 360, which are stretched along the longitudinal direction of the printing plate 20, at the end on the drawing section 18 side and the intermediate section, and opposite to the drawing section 18. A wide support plate 362 is provided at the end on the side.

At the longitudinally intermediate portion of the support plate 362 of the moving frame 354, a driving portion 36 of a rodless cylinder 364 having both ends fixed to a frame of a plate feeding portion (not shown).
4A is connected. The rodless cylinder 36
4, a pair of guide rods 36 along the axial direction
6 are provided. Both ends of the guide rod 366 are supported by the frame of the plate feeding section by brackets 366A, and the intermediate part of the guide rod 366 is inserted into two slide bearings 368, respectively. These slide bearings 368 are attached to the support plate 362 of the moving frame 354, and the moving frame 354 is supported by the guide rod 366.

The movable frame 354 is supported in a cantilevered state by a support plate 362 provided at an end opposite to the drawing section 18, and is moved in parallel by driving of the rodless cylinder 364, so that a pair of support bars 358 are provided. 360 can be inserted into the drawing unit 18 (moved as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 8).

The chuck 356 provided on the moving frame 354 is provided with an air cylinder 370 and an air cylinder 37.
Claw 37 attached to the tip of the drive shaft 370A
2, air cylinder 374 and air cylinder 374
And a pin 376 attached to the tip of the drive shaft 374A. These chucks 356
A pair of support bars 358 and 360 are attached to the printing plate 20 at both ends and in the middle in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG.
The air cylinders 370 and 374 of each drive shaft 37
0A and 374A are attached outward in the width direction of the printing plate 20, and the pins 376 are directed downward. Further, the claw portion 372 is substantially L-shaped, with the intermediate portion directed downward and the tip portion directed inward in the width direction of the printing plate 20. Therefore, the claw portions 372 and the pins 376 facing each other are moved in a direction in which the claw portions 372 and the pins 376 face each other by driving the air cylinders 370 and 374.

The distance between the tips of the claws 372 opposed to each other is longer than the width of the printing plate 20 in the separated state, and shorter than the width of the printing plate 20 in the closed state. ing. Thus, in a state where the printing plates 20 are close to each other, the widthwise ends of the printing plate 20 are placed and supported on the distal ends of the claws 372. The interval between the pins 376 opposed to each other is longer than the width of the printing plate 20 in the separated state, and is substantially the same as the width of the printing plate 20 in the approached state.

At the standby position above the lift table 300, the horizontal transfer device 106 has the claw 372 and the pin 376 separated from each other. These claw portions 372 correspond to the notches 324, 328, and 330 of the lift table 300, and the pins 376 correspond to the notches 326, respectively.
When the lift base 300 is raised, the claw portion 372 and the pin 3
76 is located outside the notches 324, 326, 328, 330. By driving the air cylinder 370, the claw portion 372 is inserted into the notches 324, 328, and 330.
Further, the pin 376 is driven by the driving of the air cylinder 374.
Is adjacent to the edge of the printing plate 20 in the width direction. When the lift table 300 is moved downward in this state, the printing plate 20
It is separated from the upper surface of the lift table 300 and is supported by the claw portion 372 and transferred to the moving frame 354.

The printing plate 20 is supported by the moving frame 354, inserted into the drawing unit 18, and dropped on a surface plate to be described later. That is, when the air cylinder 370 is driven, the claw portions 3 supporting the lower surfaces of both ends in the width direction of the printing plate 20 are formed.
72 are moved away from each other, so that the claw 37
2 is removed from the printing plate 20, and the printing plate 20 is dropped.
At this time, the pin 376 holds down the widthwise end of the printing plate 20 so that the printing plate 20 is not moved by being caught by the claw portion 372.

It should be noted that the moving frame 354 is
A magnetic sensor, for example, is provided to face the surface of the printing plate 20 to detect the printing plate 20 supported by the claw portion 372. [Drawing Unit] FIG. 13 schematically shows the drawing unit 18. The drawing unit 18 includes a plate base 402 on which the printing plate 20 is placed on the frame base 400, and a charging device 404 for charging the printing plate 20.
And a drawing device 406 for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive surface of the charged printing plate 20, which are housed in a casing (not shown) shielded from light.

The plate base 402 has a rectangular plate shape, and includes a surface plate 408 on which the printing plate 20 is placed, and a movable table 410 on which the surface plate 408 is fixedly supported. The movable table 410 is movable by the pair of rails 412 on the frame 400 toward the drawing apparatus 406.

On the platen 402, a positioning device for positioning the printing plate 20 placed on the platen 408 with respect to the platen 408, and suction-holding the printing plate 20 positioned on the platen 408. An adsorption device is provided. The positioning device includes a plurality of pins 414 and 416 provided to protrude on the surface plate 408, a pusher 418 provided corresponding to the pin 414, and a pusher 420 provided corresponding to the pin 416. .

The pusher 418 presses the widthwise end of the printing plate 20 toward the pin 414 to position the printing plate 20 in the width direction. In addition, the pusher 420 presses the longitudinal end of the printing plate 20 toward the pin 416 to perform positioning of the printing plate 20 in the longitudinal direction.

It should be noted that the newspaper 1 is almost at the center of the platen 408.
A pin (not shown) for positioning the printing plate for one page is provided so as to be able to protrude and retract, so that the printing plate having the size of one page of newspaper can be positioned.

A plurality of grooves (not shown) are formed on the upper surface of the platen 408, and the printing plate positioned on the platen 408 when a negative pressure is supplied by negative pressure supply means (not shown). 20 is held by suction.

The platen 408 has a plurality of cutouts 422 that reach near the widthwise end of the printing plate.
When the printing plate 20 is discharged from the surface plate 408, the claw portion of the discharging device is inserted.

A moving device 424 for moving the plate 402 along the pair of rails 412 is provided on the frame 400. The moving device 424 has a drive shaft of a motor 426 connected at one end, a feed screw 428 rotatably supported by the frame base 400 in parallel with the rail 412, and screwed to the feed screw 428 to be connected to the plate base 402. And a nut 430. Therefore. A feed screw 428 rotated by driving the motor 426 moves the platen 402 together with the nut 430.

The printing plate 20 positioned and held on the surface plate 408 is moved by the moving device 424 to the charging device 404.
Are sent to the drawing device 406 through the lower part of the drawing. On this occasion,
The printing plate 20 is positively charged by corona discharge from the charging device 404. The printing plate 20 moved below the drawing device 406 is, for example,
A semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 780 nm is scanned and exposed according to an image, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive surface. The printing plate 20 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed is returned to the original position, that is, the position positioned on the surface plate 408 by the moving device 424. [Take-out device] As shown in FIG. 15, the drawing unit 18 has a take-out device 450 above the platen 408 and above a moving frame 354 (not shown in FIG. 15) inserted from the plate feeding unit 12. Are arranged. As shown in FIG. 14, the unloading device 450 includes a movable base 4 having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape.
A base plate 454 is attached below 52.

An air cylinder 456 is attached to the center of the moving base 452. This air cylinder 4
The drive shaft 456A of 56 passes through the moving base 452 and is connected to the central portion of the base plate 454. Further, guide rods 458 are provided near the four corners of the moving base 452, respectively. The guide rods 458 have an axial direction parallel to the axial direction of the air cylinder 456, and an intermediate portion is inserted into a slide bearing 460 attached to the moving base 452. The lower ends of these guide rods 458 are connected to a base plate 454. Therefore, by driving the air cylinder 456, the base plate 454 is vertically moved in parallel with the moving plate 452.

The base plate 454 is a substantially rectangular flat plate and is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is along the longitudinal direction of the printing plate 20. A chuck 462 is provided at an end of the base plate 454 in the width direction so as to correspond to the notch 422 of the platen 408. The chuck 462 includes an air cylinder 464 and a drive shaft 464 of the air cylinder 464.
And a claw 466 attached to the tip of A.

Air cylinder 464 of chuck 462
Are mounted on the upper surfaces of both ends in the width direction of the base plate 454, and the drive shaft 464A protrudes outward in the width direction of the base plate 454. Claw part 46
6 has a substantially L-shape, with the middle part directed downward and the tip part directed inward in the width direction of the base plate 454. Further, a pressing plate 468 and a compression coil spring 470 are attached to the claw portion 466 inward in a substantially L-shape. The pressing plate 468 is moved by the urging force of the compression coil spring 470 along the distal end of the claw portion 466.
4 is urged inward in the width direction.

The chucks 462 provided so as to face each other in the width direction of the base plate 454 are moved by the drive of the air cylinder 464 in the direction in which the claw portions 466 are separated or approached. When the opposing claws 466 are separated from each other, the interval between the tips of the claws 466 is longer than the width of the printing plate 20 in the width direction. Also, the opposing claw portions 46
In a state in which the printing plates 20 are close to each other, the interval between the tips of the claws 466 is shorter than the width of the printing plate 20, and the printing plates 20 can be placed on the upper surfaces of the tips of the claws 466. I have. The pressing plate 468 is configured to be brought into contact with the end surface in the width direction of the printing plate 20 in a state where the printing plate 20 is placed on the claw portion 466, and the printing plate 20 is moved by the pressing plate 468 in the width direction. The end face is pressed and pinched.

As shown in FIG. 16, the take-out device 45
As a result of the descent of 0, the claw portion 466 of the chuck 462 is positioned near the notch 422 of the platen 408, and each claw portion 466 is inserted into the notch 422 by driving the air cylinder 464, and the tip of the claw portion 466 is printed. The pressing plate 46 is arranged below the printing plate 20 and is attached to an end surface of the printing plate 20 in the width direction.
8 is abutted. When the base plate 454 is raised by driving the air cylinder 456 from this state, the printing plate 20 is lifted from the surface plate 408.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the moving base 452 of the take-out device 450 is assembled in a substantially rectangular shape and is supported by the frame of the drawing section 18 (not shown).
72. The frame 472 has a pair of guide rails 474 along the width direction of the printing plate 20.
(Shown in FIG. 14) is provided. Moving base 452
A guide block 476 is provided corresponding to these guide rails 474, and is supported by the guide block 476 movably engaged with the guide rail 474.

Further, between these guide rails 474, rodless cylinders 478 whose both axial ends are fixed to the frame 472 are arranged in parallel with the guide rails 474. Drive unit 47 of rodless cylinder 478
A moving base 452 is connected to 8A.

The moving base 452 is moved by the driving of the rodless cylinder 478, and from the upper side of the surface plate 408,
It is moved to the plate discharging section 14 side. As shown in FIG.
By this movement, a part of the end of the base plate 454 in the width direction is inserted into the plate discharging section 14. The chuck 462 of the moving frame 454 drives the air cylinder 464 to separate the claws 466 from each other, thereby dropping the placed printing plate 20 and transferring the printing plate 20 to a transport stage 502 described later. It has become. Note that the take-out device 450 is
A state in which the air cylinder 456 houses the drive shaft 456A above the position 8 (shown by a solid line in FIG. 15) is a standby position. [Sheet discharging section transport stage] As shown in FIG.
A transport device 500 is provided for receiving the image from the printer and transporting it into the plate discharge unit 14. The transfer device 500 is provided with a transfer stage 502, and the transfer stage 502
4 is inserted into the drawing unit 18.

The transfer stage 502 is a substantially rectangular flat plate, and a substantially rectangular and long resin plate 504 is fixed on the upper surface of the transfer stage 502 along the width direction of the printing plate 20. An end of the resin plate 504 on the drawing section 18 side protrudes upward. This transport stage 502 is the drawing unit 1
8, above the position protruded into the ejection device 450.
Is moved and the printing plate 2 transferred from the take-out device 450
Transfer stage 5 shown in FIG. 15 on which 0 is placed on the upper surface
02 position). When the printing plate 20 is placed on the transfer stage 502, the printing plate 20 is supported by the plurality of resin plates 504 so as not to directly contact the metal part of the transfer stage 502.

The transfer device 500 includes a transfer stage 502.
Is provided. This drive mechanism includes a rodless cylinder 506 and a pair of guide rods 5.
08 and a guide rail 512 provided in parallel with these. The rodless cylinder 506 and the pair of guide rods 508
0 is provided along the width direction of the printing plate 20 so as to face one end of the printing plate 20 in the longitudinal direction.

Both ends of the rodless cylinder 506 and the pair of guide rods 508 are attached to the frame of the plate feeding section 14 by brackets 514. A drive block 516 is provided at an intermediate portion in these axial directions. A slide bearing structure is formed in the drive block 516, and an intermediate portion between the rodless cylinder 506 and the pair of guide rods 508 is movably inserted. The drive block 516 includes a rodless cylinder 506.
It is moved by the drive of.

The guide rail 512 is provided in the longitudinal direction of the printing plate 20 on the side opposite to the drive unit 510 and in parallel with the rodless cylinder 506 along the width direction of the printing plate 20. It is attached to 14 frames. A convex portion 520 is formed on the guide rail 512 along the longitudinal direction, and a guide block 522 is movably engaged with the convex portion 520.

A drive block 516 and a guide block 522 are attached to the end of the transport stage 502 on the side opposite to the drawing section 18 along the longitudinal direction of the printing plate 20. Therefore, the transport stage 502 is guided by the pair of guide rods 508 and the guide rails 512 by the driving of the rodless cylinder 506 to be guided and moved. Note that the transport stage 502 includes the plate discharging unit 1
4 (a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 17). [Insertion Device] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, an insertion stage 532 of an insertion device 530 is provided below the transport stage 502 on which the printing plate 20 is placed and moved to the opposite side to the drawing unit 18. A transfer device 534 is provided above the transfer stage 502.

The transfer device 534 is composed of a support base 538 attached to the frame of the plate discharge section 14 by a plurality of stays 536, and an arm 544 provided below the support base 538. The support base 538 is a long plate having a substantially rectangular shape, and is provided at an end of the insertion stage 532 on the drawing section 18 side, with the longitudinal direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the printing plate 20. The arm 544 is a long rod-shaped member, and is provided with its longitudinal direction along the longitudinal direction of the support base 538.

The support base 538 has an air cylinder 5
40 and a pair of guide rods 542 are provided.
The air cylinder 540 is attached to the support base 538, and its drive shaft 540A is connected to the intermediate portion of the arm 544 through the support base 538. The pair of guide rods 542 has an intermediate portion inserted into a slide bearing 546 attached to a support base 538, and one end is connected to an arm 544. The arm 544 has a substantially rectangular shape and at least the surface is a non-conductive member (for example, resin,
A plurality of claws 548 formed of ceramic or the like are provided. These claws 548 are attached along the longitudinal direction of the arm 544.

The arm 544 is lowered by the driving of the air cylinder 540, and the pawl 548 is moved to the transfer stage 502.
Is positioned between the resin plates 504 above the transfer stage 5
The printing plate 20 placed on the printing plate 20 faces the drawing unit 18 side end surface. In this state, the transport stage 502 is moved to the standby position (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 17).
When the printing plate 20 is moved, the printing plate 20 is scraped out of the transport stage 502 because the movement of the printing plate 20 is blocked by the claws 548.
Thus, the printing plate 20 is placed on the insertion stage 532 located below the transport stage 502. The insertion device 530 sends out the printing plate 20 placed on the insertion stage 532 to the developing unit 22.

As shown in FIGS. 18 to 21, the insertion device 530 includes a pair of side plates 550 attached to a frame (not shown) of the plate discharge section 14. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the pair of side plates 550 are parallel to each other and directed toward the developing unit 22. That is, it is provided along the longitudinal direction of the printing plate 20. The side plate 550 has a trapezoidal shape in which the developing unit 22 side is low and the side opposite to the developing unit 22 is high, and one side is inclined toward the developing unit 22.

As shown in FIGS. 18 to 21, an insertion stage 532 is provided above a pair of side plates 550. The insertion stages 532 are flat plates made of a long resin, and are provided in pairs parallel to each other with the longitudinal direction facing the developing unit 22. The developing unit 2 of the side plate 550
In the vicinity of the top opposite to the second side, a shaft 552 is hung and supported rotatably. The end of the insertion stage 532 on the opposite side to the developing unit 22 is rotatable by a bracket 554. Supported.

An air cylinder 556 (not shown in FIG. 19) is attached between the pair of side plates 550. The drive shaft 556A of the air cylinder 556 is directed to the developing unit 22 side, and a support arm 558 is provided at the tip. The support arm 558 has a substantially U-shape, and an intermediate portion is rotatably connected to a drive shaft 556A of the air cylinder 556. In addition, each of the distal ends is provided with a bracket 56 on the lower surface of the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the insertion stage 532.
0 so as to be rotatable. Accordingly, the insertion stage 532 is swung about the shaft 552 between the horizontal standby position and the insertion position inclined toward the developing unit 22 around the shaft 552 by driving the air cylinder 556.

A fixed guide 562 is provided on the developing unit 22 side on an extension of the inclined insertion stage 532. The fixed guides 562 are provided as a pair corresponding to each of the insertion stages 532, and have a shape in which the insertion stage 532 in an inclined state is extended toward the developing unit 22 side. These insertion stage 532 and fixed guide 5
The angle of inclination of the 62 with respect to the horizontal direction is equal to the angle of inclination of the transport path near the insertion port of the developing unit 22.

Shaft 5 hung between side plates 550
A sprocket 564 is fixed between the pair of insertion stages 532 at an intermediate portion of 52. In addition, below the fixed guide 562, a shaft 5 is provided between a pair of side plates 550.
56 are supported so as to be rotatable. An intermediate portion of the shaft 566 is also provided with a sprocket 564 between the pair of fixed guides 562. Further, a guide rail 570 having a convex cross section is provided between the shaft 552 and the shaft 566.

A chain 568 is wound around each sprocket 564 of the shafts 552 and 566.
Chain 5 moved up between sprockets 564
68 is supported by the guide rail 570 and guided toward the developing unit 22 side. That is, the middle portion in the width direction of the chain 568 is stretched so as to enter the convex portion of the guide rail 570. The chain 568 is provided with a pressing block 572. This pressing block 572
Is moved with the rotation of the chain 568. The pressing blocks 572 are provided at two places (only one is shown in each drawing). When one of the pressing blocks 572 is moved to the fixed guide 562 between the insertion stages 532, the other passes downward from near the fixed guide 562. To the shaft 552 side.

The pressing block 572 is detected by the microswitch 571 fixed on the stay 551 bridged between the side plates 550, and the motor 576 is stopped (see FIG. 21).

Further, one end of the shaft 552 has a side plate 550.
A sprocket 574 is provided so as to protrude therefrom, and a motor 576 is attached to one side plate 550 below the shaft 552.
Is provided. The rotation shaft 576A of this motor 576
Protrudes from the side plate 550 and has a sprocket 578 at the tip.
Is attached, and the sprocket 574 of the shaft 552 is attached.
And a chain 580 is wound between them. Therefore. The rotation of the motor 576 causes the insertion stage 53
2, the pressing block 572 is moved.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a bracket 582 is provided outside one of the pair of side plates 550. The bracket 582 includes a side plate 550.
A plurality of rollers 588 are rotatably supported along the inclination of.

A bracket 586 opposed to the bracket 582 is provided outside the other of the pair of side plates 550. A roller 584 is also rotatably supported on the bracket 586 along the inclination of the side plate 550.
The bracket 586 is supported by an air cylinder 590 provided on the side plate 550 and a pair of guide rods 592. The air cylinder 590 is connected to the side plate 5.
The end of the drive shaft 590A provided inside the
0 and connected to a bracket 586. Further, each of the pair of guide rods 592 is provided so that the axial direction is parallel to the axial direction of the air cylinder 590, and the intermediate portion is movably supported by being inserted into a slide bearing 594 attached to the side plate 550. The tip of the guide rod 592 is connected to the bracket 586.

Therefore, the bracket 586 is translated by driving the air cylinder 590 in the direction in which the roller 588 comes in contact with and separates from the roller 584 provided on the bracket 582. As a result, the widthwise end of the printing plate 20 placed on the inclined insertion stage 532 is pressed and abuts against the roller 584 of the bracket 582 to perform positioning when the printing plate 20 is inserted into the developing unit 22. . The roller 588 does not need to completely press the printing plate 20 against the roller 584. When the air cylinder 590 operates, the roller 584 is bent within a range in which the printing plate 20 is bent and displaced when the developing unit 22 is inserted. You may stop just before.

The outer peripheral surfaces of these rollers 584 and 588 are coated with, for example, ceramic coating or the like.
The printing plate 20 is configured such that the widthwise end thereof is not damaged, and that the conductive member does not directly contact the printing plate 20. A microswitch 572 is provided on the insertion stage 532 near the guide rail 570, and is turned on by the printing plate 20 on the insertion stage 532 when the printing plate 20 is placed on the insertion stage 532.
This serves to notify that the printing plate 20 is present at the position when the machine is stopped due to a trouble or the like and then returned again. [Shutter] As shown in FIG. 22, the casing 16 </ b> A of the plate supply / discharge unit 16 is formed to protrude in a substantially rectangular shape on the drawing unit 18 side, and includes a connection unit 600. This connecting part 6
00, the drawing unit 18 surrounds the connecting unit 600.
A rib 602 is provided so as to protrude.

The casing 18A of the drawing unit 18 has a groove 6 provided with a concave portion facing the rib 602 of the plate supply / discharge unit 16.
The projecting portion 04 is provided, and the connection between the plate supply / discharge portion 16 and the drawing portion 18 is shielded from light by inserting the rib 602 into the groove portion 604. Also, the casing 18A
The connecting portion 60 of the supply / discharge plate portion 16 is provided inside the groove portion 604.
0 is formed, and the supply / discharge plate portion 16 is formed.
Is inserted into the connection port 606 of the drawing unit 18 and connected.

As shown in FIG. 23, the plate feeding / discharging unit 16
A protruding portion 610 is provided below the connecting portion 600. The protruding portion 610 is a rectangular box, and the plate feeding portion 12
The side is opened and communicates with the inside of the plate feeding section 12. Also,
A rectangular plate supply port 612 is formed on the surface of the protruding portion 610 on the drawing section 18 side, and thereby the inside of the drawing section 18 and the inside of the plate supply section 12 are communicated.

The plate feed port 612 is formed in the recess 614 formed in the projecting portion 610, and the outer peripheral edge portion of the plate feed port 612 is projected outward (to the drawing portion 18 side) to form the rib 61.
6 are formed.

The plate feed port 612 is adapted to be opened and closed by a shutter 618. The shutter 618 is
A flat plate cover 620 shaped to cover the concave portion 614 of the protruding portion 610, and a rib 6 of a plate feed port 612 on the inner peripheral edge of the cover 620.
A groove 622 having a concave portion into which 16 is inserted is provided. Further, the cover 620 is provided with a concave portion 614 near the insertion port 612.
Are connected at a plurality of places by a protrusion 610 and a hinge 624. The lid 620 is rotated about the hinge 624, and closes the plate feeding port 612 with the rib 616 inserted in the groove 622. In this state, the plate feeding unit 12 and the drawing unit 18 are shielded from light.

An air cylinder 626 is provided on the inner wall 610A of the protrusion 610. Air cylinder 62
6, the rear end side has an inner wall 610A by a bracket 628.
It is supported rotatably. Air cylinder 6
The tip of the 26 drive shaft 626A is swingably supported by a bracket 630 provided inside the lid 620.
Therefore, the shutter 618 is connected to the air cylinder 626.
The cover 620 is swung by the driving of the plate feeder 612 so that the plate feeding port 612 is opened and closed. When the plate feeding port 612 is open, the lid 620 is in a substantially horizontal state, and the moving frame 354 of the horizontal transport device 106 can be inserted into the plate feeding port 612.

As shown in FIG. 22, the drawing section 18 and the plate discharge section 14 are communicated with each other by a plate discharge port 632. The plate discharging port 632 is connected to the protrusion 61
Above 0, it is provided with a rectangular opening that is elongated along a substantially horizontal direction. The connecting portion 600 is provided with a shutter guide 634 on the inner surface near the plate discharge port 632 from below the periphery of the plate discharge port 632 and along the periphery of the plate discharge port 632.

A substantially rectangular flat plate lid 638 which constitutes the shutter 636 is slidably inserted in the shutter guide 634 along the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 15, the upper end of the lid 638 is bent toward the plate discharging section 14 to form a flange 640. Above the flange 640, an air cylinder 642 and a pair of guide rods 64 sandwiching the air cylinder 642 are provided.
4 are provided. The air cylinder 642 is provided with the axial direction along the vertical direction.
B attached. The tip of the drive shaft 642A of the air cylinder 642 is connected to the flange 640 of the lid 638. The guide rod 644 has an intermediate portion inserted into a slide bearing 646 attached to the frame 14B, and is provided in parallel with the axial direction of the air cylinder 642.

Therefore, in the shutter 636, the lid 638 is moved by the driving of the air cylinder 642, and the plate discharge port 632 is opened and closed. Shutter 63
6, the plate discharging port 632 is closed.
8 and the shutter guide 634 overlap each other,
And the drawing unit 18 are shielded from light. When the plate discharging port 632 is open, the take-out device 450 can be inserted from the drawing unit 18 side, and the transport stage 502 can be inserted from the plate discharging unit 14 side.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 24 shows the plate feeding / discharging section 16 according to this embodiment.
3 shows a main routine of a flowchart showing the operation of (1). In step 800 of the main routine, the printing plate 20 is taken out of the printing plate 38 by the sheet-feeding device 102 of the plate feeding unit 12. The support frame 110 of the single-wafer apparatus 102 is waiting above the printing plate mounting table 38.

As shown in FIG. 25, the single wafer processing device 102.
In step 820, the rodless cylinder 116 is driven to lower the support frame 110. The lowering of the support frame 110 causes the suction plates 112 and 14 of the support frame 110 to be placed on the uppermost printing plate 20 of the printing plate mounting table 38.
0, the block 144 and the plate detection sensor 146 abut, and the lowering of the support frame 110 stops. in this case,
The drive block 126 of the rodless cylinder 116 may move further downward, and when the lowering of the support frame 110 stops, the drive of the rodless cylinder 116 may also stop.

In step 822, the plate detection sensor 146
When the printing plate 20 detects the printing plate 20, the negative pressure supply means (not shown) is operated, and the suction plates 112 and 140 suck the upper surface of the printing plate 20. Since the photosensitive surface of the printing plate 20 is directed downward, the suction cups 112 and 140 attract the surface opposite to the photosensitive surface. The operation of the negative pressure supply means may be performed in step 820.

In step 824, the air cylinder 134 of the turning section 130 is driven, and the four corners of the printing plate 20 are
Lift with suction at 40. Further, the air cylinder 142 is driven to press the end of the printing plate 20 lifted by the suction cup 140 downward (step 8).
26). As a result, the printing plate 20 that is in close contact with the lower surface of the uppermost printing plate 20 is separated.

In step 828, the drive shafts 134A and 142A of the air cylinders 134 and 142 of the turning section 130 are housed in the main body, respectively, while driving the rodless cylinder 116 to raise the support frame 110 (step 830).

In step 832, the moving frame 110
Has been moved to the transfer position (standby position) to the reversing device 104, and the driving of the rodless cylinder 116 is stopped (step 834). As a result, the printing plate 20 supported by the support frame 110 is moved by the reversing device 10.
4 to the delivery position.

In step 802 of the main routine, the printing plate 20 adsorbed by the sheet feeding device 102 is reversed by the reversing device 104.
To the lift table 300. As shown in FIG. 26, in step 840, the reversing device 104 sucks the widthwise end of the printing plate 20 that is sucked and held by the suckers 112 and 140 of the sheet-feeding device 102 by the suckers 222. Thereafter, the suction of the printing plate 20 by the suction cups 112 and 140 of the sheet-feed apparatus 102 is released. Thereby, the reversing device 10
4 sucks and holds the printing plate 20 in a cantilever state by the suction cup 222.

In step 842, the rodless cylinder 206 is driven to move the support shaft 212 to the lift table 30.
Move toward 0 side. The support shaft 212 moves to the end on the lift table 300 side. If it is detected in Step 844 that the support shaft 212 has moved to the position where the printing plate 20 is transferred to the lift table 300, Step 84 is executed.
In step 6, the rotary cylinder 214 is driven to rotate the support shaft 212 in the direction of arrow C. As a result, the printing plate 20 having the photosensitive surface directed downward is inverted, and the photosensitive surface is directed upward.

Since the printing plate 20 faces upward on the surface opposite to the photosensitive surface, the sheet-feeding device 102 and the reversing device 10
4 can adsorb the surface of the printing plate 20 opposite to the photosensitive surface. For this reason, a suction cup mark etc. do not remain on the photosensitive surface of the printing plate 20.

In step 804 of the main routine, the printing plate 20 is transferred from the reversing device 104 to the lift table 300. The lift table 300 is waiting downward.

As shown in FIG. 27, the lift base 300
Is increased by driving the motor 312 in step 850. When it is detected in step 852 that the lift base 300 has risen to the position where the printing plate 20 is delivered, the driving of the motor 312 is temporarily stopped. In this state, the printing plate 20 having one end in the width direction adsorbed to the suction cup 222 of the support shaft 212 is placed on the lift table 300 from near the middle portion in the width direction to the other end. Step 856
Then, the supply of the negative pressure to the suction cup 222 of the reversing device 104 is released. Thus, the suction of the printing plate 20 by the suction cup 222 of the reversing device 104 is released, and the printing plate 20 is supported by the lift table 300. When the position where the printing plate 20 is delivered is detected, the suction of the printing plate 20 by the suction cup 222 may be released without stopping the motor 312.

At step 858, the reversing device 104 drives the rodless cylinder 206 to drive the sheet feeding device 102.
And the support shaft 212 is rotated 180 degrees in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow C in FIG. 5 by driving the rotary cylinder 214, and the tip of the suction cup 222 is directed downward.

At step 860, the motor 312 is re-driven to raise the lift table 300. Lift stand 300
Is a position for positioning the printing plate 20 with respect to the lift table 300, that is, the pair of air cylinders 350 is
Is detected (step 862), the drive of the motor 312 stops (step 864).

In the next step 866, the pair of air cylinders 350 are driven to drive the printing plate 2 by the rollers 352.
0 is pressed along its width direction to make it contact the roller 332 provided on the lift table 300. The lift table 30
0, and presses the printing plate 20 in the longitudinal direction by the rollers 340 by driving the air cylinder 342,
The printing plate 20 is brought into contact with the roller 334 provided opposite thereto. Thus, the printing plate 20 is positioned with respect to the lift table 300. Confirmation of the positioning is performed by a plate detection sensor such as a magnetic sensor provided on the lift table 300 (step 868).

When the positioning of the printing plate 20 with respect to the lift table 300 is completed, the motor 312 is driven and the lift table 3
00 to raise the moving frame 3 of the horizontal transfer device 106.
54 (step 872), and lift table 300
Is stopped (step 874).

In step 806 of the main routine, the printing plate 20 is transferred from the lift table 300 to the horizontal transfer device 106, and the horizontal transfer device 106 transfers the printing plate 20 onto the surface plate of the drawing unit 18. At the standby position above the lift table 300, the chuck 356 has the claw portion 372 and the pin 376 opened.

As shown in FIG. 28, the horizontal transfer device 1
06 detects that the printing plate 20 has been opposed to the moving frame 354 in step 880, and drives the air cylinder 370 in step 882 to insert the tip of the claw 372 of the chuck 356 below the printing plate 20. I do. In step 884, the air cylinder 374 is driven so that the pin 376 faces the widthwise end of the printing plate 20.

Thereafter, in step 886, the motor 312
To lower the lift table 300 to the lower standby position. As a result, the printing plate 20 placed on the lift table 300 is supported on the lower surface by the claw portions 372 of the chuck 356, and is transferred from the lift table 300 to the moving frame 354 of the horizontal transfer device 106.

At the next step 888, the air cylinder 626 is driven to open the shutter 618 between the plate supply unit 12 and the drawing unit 18, and the plate supply unit 12 and the drawing unit 18 shielded by the shutter 618 are opened. Communicate. As a result, the moving frame 354 is moved from the plate feeding section 12 to the drawing section 18.
It can be inserted inside.

When the shutter 618 is opened, the rodless cylinder 364 is driven to insert the moving frame 354 holding the printing plate 20 into the drawing section 18. When it is detected that the moving frame 354 has moved onto the surface plate 408 of the drawing unit 18 (step 892), the air cylinder 370
Is driven to open the chuck 356 (step 894).
As a result, the printing plate 20 is dropped onto the surface plate 408 and is moved to the surface plate 408. At this time, since the pin 376 is in contact with the end of the printing plate 20 in the width direction, the claw 372 is formed.
The printing plate 20 is not pulled by the movement of
The printing plate 20 can be placed on a predetermined position on the surface plate 408.

When the printing plate 20 is transferred to the surface plate 408, the air cylinder 374 is driven to separate the pins 376 from each other (step 896) and the rodless cylinder 36 is also moved.
4 to return the moving frame 354 to the standby position on the lift table 300 of the plate feeding unit 12 (step 898).

If it is confirmed that the moving frame 354 has returned to the standby position (step 900), the air cylinder 6
26 is driven to close the shutter 618. As a result, the plate feeding unit 12 and the drawing unit 18 are in a light-shielding state.

Since the printing plate 20 is placed on the surface plate 408 with its photosensitive surface facing upward, the lift table 300 and the horizontal transfer device 106 support the printing plate 20 from the lower surface. Also,
The positioning with respect to the lift table 300 presses the end surface of the printing plate 20. Therefore, the photosensitive surface of the printing plate 20 can be maintained in a uniform state without coming into contact with the photosensitive surface of the printing plate 20.

Further, the printing plate 20 is positioned with respect to the lift table 300, and provisional positioning is performed when the printing plate 20 is placed on the surface plate 408. For this reason, the printing plate 20 is transferred to the suction cups 112 and 140 of the sheet-fed device 102 and the reversing device 104.
Is sucked by the suction cup 222 and transported.
Even if it is inverted at 4, it can be placed on the surface plate 408 without error.

At step 808 of the main routine, the drawing device 406 draws on the printing plate 20 placed on the surface plate 408 to form an electrostatic latent image on the printing plate 20. The printing plate 20 on which the electrostatic latent image has been formed is
(Step 810).

As shown in FIG. 29, the take-out device 450.
When it is confirmed in step 910 that the drawing process has been completed and the surface plate 408 has returned to a predetermined position,
Then, the air cylinder 456 is driven to lower the base plate 454. At this time, the base plate 45
The fourth chuck 462 spreads the claw portions 466 apart from each other. When detecting that the base plate 454 has been lowered to the lower end (step 914), the air cylinder 464 of the chuck 462 is driven to close the claw portion 466 (step 916).

When the base plate 454 is lowered to the lower end, the tip of the claw portion 466 faces the notch 422,
By driving the air cylinder 464, the claw 4
The tip of 66 is inserted under the printing plate 20 on the platen 408.

At step 918, the air cylinder 46
4 to raise the base plate 454,
08, the printing plate 20 is lifted. When it is detected in step 920 that the base plate 454 has moved to the upper end, the air cylinder 642 of the shutter 636 is driven to open the shutter 636 (step 922). As a result, the drawing unit 18 shielded from light by the shutter 636
And the plate discharge section 14 are communicated.

Further, in step 924, the moving base 452 supporting the base plate 454 is moved toward the plate discharge section 14 and a part of the base plate 454 is inserted into the plate discharge port 632. Further, the transport stage 502 provided in the plate discharging section 14 is inserted into the plate discharging port 632 by driving the rodless cylinder 506 (step 926). In steps 928 and 930, it is detected that the moving base 452 and the transport stage 502 have moved to predetermined positions. Thus, the transfer stage 502 is positioned below the base plate 454.

In step 932, the base plate 45
The fourth chuck 462 is opened. As a result, the printing plate 20 supported by the claw portion 466 of the chuck 462 of the base plate 454 is dropped onto the transport stage 502.
Thereafter, the moving base 452 returns to the standby position on the surface plate 408 (step 934), and the transfer stage 502 is driven by the rodless cylinder 506 to drive the insertion stage 53.
Move up to 2.

Base plate 454 and transfer stage 50
When it is confirmed that has moved to a predetermined position (step 938), the air cylinder 642 is driven to close the shutter 632. As a result, the space between the drawing unit 18 and the plate discharge unit 14 is in a light shielding state.

In step 812 of the main routine, the printing plate 20 taken out of the drawing unit 18 is inserted into the insertion device 530.
To the developing unit 22.

As shown in FIG. 30, the plate discharge section 14 is
In step 950, the air cylinder 540 is driven to
The arm 544 provided with 48 is lowered. Thus, the pawl 548 faces the widthwise end of the printing plate 20 placed on the transport stage 502. In step 952,
The rodless cylinder 506 is driven to move the transfer stage 50
2 is moved to the drawing section 18 side of the insertion stage 532 (step 852), and the transport stage 502 is returned to the standby position (steps 954 and 956).

When the transfer stage 502 moves, the claw 54
8 comes into contact with the end of the printing plate 20, the printing plate 20 is prevented from moving with the transfer stage 502, and the transfer stage 5
02, the transfer stage 502
Is dropped and placed on the insertion stage 532 located below the.

At step 958, it is confirmed whether the printing plate 20 can be sent to the developing unit 22, and the process waits until the printing plate 20 can be sent to the developing unit 22.

When the printing plate 20 can be fed to the developing section 22, the air cylinder 556 is driven in step 960 to tilt the insertion stage 532. This inclination angle is equal to the insertion angle of the conveyance path near the insertion port of the developing unit 22. Thereafter, the air cylinder 590 is driven to move the roller 588 in parallel toward the opposing roller 584 (step 962). As a result, the printing plate 20 placed on the inclined insertion stage 532 is
The end in the width direction is pushed toward the roller 584 by the 88 and comes into contact with the roller 584. Thereby, the printing plate 2
0 is positioned for feeding into the developing unit 22.

When the printing plate 20 is positioned, the motor 576 is driven in step 964. Press block 57 provided on chain 568 by driving motor 576
2 moves toward the developing unit 22 while pressing the longitudinal end of the printing plate 20. This movement causes the printing plate 20
Is guided into the developing section 22 by being guided by the insertion stage 532 and the fixed guide 562 which are inclined at a predetermined angle. At this time, the width of the printing plate 20 is determined by the rollers 584,
588.

At step 966, the pressing block 976.
Is detected by the microswitch 571, the air cylinder 540 is driven to level the insertion stage 502 and return to the standby state (step 968). Thus, the feeding of the printing plate 20 to the developing unit 22 ends.

In the plate feeding / discharging unit 16, this operation is repeated to continuously supply the printing plate 20 to the drawing unit 18, and at the same time, the drawing plate 406 forms an electrostatic latent image on the printing plate 20.
Is taken out and sent to the developing unit 22.

The printing plate 20 sent to the developing section 22 is
In the developing section 24, a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is formed. In the fixing section 26, the toner particles are heated and fixed on the printing plate 20. Thereafter, the printing plate 20 is subjected to plate surface protection. Further, a notch and a circular hole are formed in the punching section 32 and the plate bending section 34 for mounting and rubbing on a rotary press, and the plate is bent and sequentially stored.

The printing plate 20 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed by being charged by the drawing unit 18 is conveyed while the end surface in the width direction or the surface opposite to the photosensitive surface is supported. Further, a conductive member such as a metal does not directly contact the printing plate 20.
Therefore, the charge of the printing plate 20 is not released,
In addition, there is no contact mark during conveyance on the photosensitive surface, and the developing unit 22
Thus, a predetermined toner image can be formed.

Further, when the printing plate 20 is sent to the developing unit 22, the insertion stage 532 is inclined along the transport path near the insertion port of the developing unit 22, so that the printing plate 20 sent to the developing unit 22 is forced. The toner particles can be uniformly attached to the photosensitive surface of the printing plate 20 without bending.

The drawing section 18 and the plate supply / discharge section 16 are shielded from light by shutters 618 and 636.
These shutters 618 and 636 are opened and closed when the printing plate 20 is supplied and taken out. Therefore, light does not enter the drawing unit 18 unnecessarily during maintenance of the plate supply / discharge unit 16 or the like.

[0158]

As described above, the printing plate transporting device according to the present invention positions the photosensitive lithographic printing plate transported by the positioning means in the width direction. Therefore, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate transported from the stage does not shift in the width direction of the transport path.

Further, in the present invention, a roller is provided as the positioning means. These rollers position the photosensitive lithographic printing plate on the stage and reliably guide the photosensitive lithographic printing plate being conveyed. Furthermore, by using a non-conductive member for the portion that contacts the photosensitive lithographic printing plate,
Even if the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is an OPC sensitive material, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect of sending it to the developing section without disturbing the latent image formed by the exposure device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a direct printing plate apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the direct printing plate apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a main part of the direct printing plate apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of the single-wafer apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a main part showing the single-wafer apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a main part of the single-wafer apparatus.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are main part side views showing an operation state of the sheet-feeding apparatus, and FIG. 7A shows a state in which the sheet-contacting apparatus is in contact with a stacked printing plate; (B) shows a state in which the turning section is operated, and (C) shows a state in which the printing plate is sucked and held by the sheet-feeding apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a lift table and a horizontal transfer device.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a lift table and a horizontal transfer device.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of relevant parts showing a lift table.

11 is a cross-sectional view of a main part along line 11-11 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a main part showing a chuck of the horizontal transfer device.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a main part showing a drawing unit.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an extraction device.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing the removal device.

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view showing positions of a surface plate and a chuck.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a transfer stage.

FIG. 18 is a front view showing an insertion stage.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an insertion stage.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing an insertion stage.

FIG. 21 is a side view showing an insertion stage.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a main part showing a connection part between a plate supply / discharge unit and a drawing unit.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a main part along line 23-23 in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the operation of a plate supply / discharge unit.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sheet-feed apparatus.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the operation of the reversing device.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the operation of the lift base.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the operation of the horizontal transport device.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the operation of the take-out device and the plate discharging device.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the operation of the insertion device.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 10 direct printing plate machine 12 plate feeding section 14 plate discharging section 16 plate feeding and discharging section 18 drawing section 20 printing plate 22 developing section 38 printing plate mounting table 102 sheet-fed apparatus 104 reversing apparatus 300 lift table 450 take-out apparatus 502 transfer Stage 532 Insertion stage (stage) 572 Pressing member 576 Motor (pressing means) 584 Reference position roller (positioning means) 588 Pressing roller (positioning means) 618, 636 Shutter

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing plate transporting device for transporting a photosensitive lithographic printing plate having a photoconductive photosensitive layer, comprising: a stage on which the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is placed and both ends in a direction orthogonal to the transporting direction. Positioning means for positioning the photosensitive lithographic printing plate placed on the stage by moving one in a direction approaching the reference position with the other being a reference position, and the photosensitive lithographic printing plate And a pressing unit that includes a pressing member that abuts on the rear end side in the conveying direction, and that moves the photosensitive lithographic printing plate by moving the pressing member. 2. A printing plate transporting device for transporting a photosensitive lithographic printing plate exposed by an exposure device toward a developing part, wherein the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is placed adjacent to the developing part. And the photosensitive member placed on the stage by being provided at both ends in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction to the developing unit and being moved in a direction in which one of them serves as a reference position and the other approaches the reference position. Positioning means for positioning the lithographic printing plate, and a pressing member that comes into contact with the rear end surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate in the transport direction A printing plate transporting device. 3. The positioning means is composed of rollers, and the outer peripheral surfaces of these rollers are in contact with the end surfaces of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate to rotate with the conveyance of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate to guide it in the conveying direction. Claim 1 or 2 characterized
Printing plate conveyor. 4. The upper surface of the stage, the pressing member, and at least the contact portion of the positioning unit with the photosensitive lithographic printing plate are formed of a non-conductive member. Printing plate conveyor.