JP2798309B2 - Brushing structure and method of adjusting brushing of lithographic printing plate developing device without water - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a brushing structure and a brushing adjustment method for a waterless printing plate developing apparatus for brushing an ink repellent layer of a waterless planographic printing plate.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A waterless PS plate having a silicone layer as an ink repellent layer is disclosed in JP-B-44-23042 and JP-B-46-16044. A waterless PS plate having a silicone rubber layer laminated thereon, and a waterless PS having a photoadhesive photosensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer laminated on a substrate described in JP-A-48-94504 and JP-A-50-50102. A version has been proposed. These can print tens of thousands of sheets without using fountain solution.

In the above-mentioned waterless PS plate, a silicone rubber layer is laminated on a support made of aluminum or the like, and a protective film is laminated on the upper surface thereof to protect the surface. When an image is printed on the waterless PS plate, the photosensitive layer is cured according to the amount of exposure, and adheres to the silicone rubber layer. In this state, when the developing solution is applied to the surface, the developing solution causes the photosensitive layer to expand as the unexposed portion and the portion where the amount of exposure is small, and the silicone rubber layer is peeled off by rubbing the photosensitive layer with a brush roller. That is, the waterless PS plate is transported with the brush roller and a flat pedestal or roller during transportation.
Inserted between the La is conveyed is pinched, predetermined brush pressure
, The exposure surface is sequentially brushed.
The debris of the peeled silicone rubber layer is collected together with the excess developer into a developer recovery tank, circulated again by a circulation pump, and applied to a waterless lithographic printing plate.

[0004] By the way, there are various prescriptions for the developing solution used for the developing process. For example, Developer-1 ・ Diethylene glycol-mono-n-hexyl ether 15 parts by weight ・ Diethylene glycol-mono-ethyl ether 17 parts by weight ・ Pure water 68 parts by weight Developing solution-2 ・ Diethylene glycol-mono-hexyl ether 10 parts by weight ・ New Coal B4SN (60% aqueous solution) “Nippon Emulsifier” 4.5% by weight ・ Pure water 85.5 parts by weight.

Here, it has been proposed to treat with a processing solution containing no organic substance (hereinafter referred to as developing water) as a developing solution used for waterless development (Japanese Patent Application No. 3-95).
No. 581). This is because the processing can be performed without containing an organic substance due to the improvement in quality of the PS plate itself.

[0006] Brushing by the brush roller is as follows.
The contact width of the brush to the PS plate without water
If the brush pressure and the presence or absence of unevenness are improper, the unexposed portion of the silicone layer may remain or the exposed portion of the silicone layer may be peeled off, resulting in a poor finish. For this reason, the inspection of the brush width and the like is performed before or at regular intervals.

In this inspection, the brush roller and the receiving portion ,
The exposed waterless PS plate is inserted between the rollers and the brush roller is rotated while the waterless PS plate is stopped, and as a result, the shaved portion is visually inspected.

Here, in order to perform reliable brushing
In addition, the brush roller and the cradle or roller
It is arranged so that it can hold the PS plate without water
In, waterless between the brush roller and the cradle and roller PS
When inserting the plate , the brush roller must be rotated. For this reason, exposure is performed at a relatively high exposure amount so that the silicone layer does not peel off even if the waterless PS plate is rubbed.

[0009]

However, in the above-described inspection procedure, since the exposure amount is high, the amount of the silicone layer removed by the rotation of the brush roller is small, and the brush width is not clear. For this reason, the inspection is difficult, and an erroneous determination may be made. On the other hand, in order to prevent erroneous determination, the inspection is performed over a long time, and the workability is reduced.

[0010] In addition, the waterless PS plate for inspection is partly cut off and inspected, and if it is determined that the brush width or the like is inappropriate, another PS plate without water for inspection needs to be prepared again after adjustment. There is. For this reason, there is also a problem that the water-separated PS plate that is repeatedly inspected and adjusted is wasted.

[0011] The present invention In view of the above-described circumstances, brushing
A waterless lithographic printing plate developing device that improves the insertability of the waterless lithographic printing plate with the brush roller stopped at the time of inspection , reduces the exposure of the waterless lithographic printing plate for inspection, and improves the inspection work. The purpose is to obtain the brushing structure of the above.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for adjusting the brushing of a waterless lithographic printing plate developing apparatus which can effectively utilize a waterless printing plate for inspection.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a brush roller for rubbing an ink repellent layer by rotating with a driving force corresponding to an exposed surface of a waterless lithographic printing plate; To pinch a waterless lithographic printing plate with the brush roller arranged on the side opposite to the exposure surface of the plate and to inspect the brushing state of the brush roller,
If water is present at the inspection position opposite to the brush roller
And a roller that rotates and stops according to the transport of the waterless planographic printing plate when positioning the planographic printing plate.

The invention according to claim 2 is used in a waterless lithographic printing plate developing apparatus for removing an ink repellent layer in a non-exposed area while rubbing an exposed surface with a brush roller when developing a waterless lithographic printing plate. A brushing adjustment method for a waterless lithographic printing plate developing device for adjusting a brushing state of an ink repellent layer in a stopped state of the waterless lithographic printing plate by the brush roller, wherein the waterless lithographic printing is performed by the brush roller. A roller for holding the plate is provided, and a relatively low exposure amount (for example, 1/10 from the standard exposure) is applied between the brush roller and the roller when the brush roller is stopped.
Inspection of the brushing state that occurs when the brush roller is rotated for a predetermined time with the waterless lithographic printing plate exposed at 1/20) and having a weak adhesive force of the ink repellent layer and stopped at the predetermined position, The brush width and the brush pressure are adjusted, and the inspection is performed again by moving the brush by a predetermined pitch.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a lithographic stamp without water is provided.
While holding the printing plate with the brush roller,
In order to check the brushing condition of the rollers, stop the rotation.
Lithographic printing without water at the inspection position facing the brush roller
When positioning the plate, because it has a roller to stop rotating in response to conveyance of the waterless planographic printing plate, a brush roller rotating
Transport the lithographic printing plate without water to the inspection position
At this time, the rollers rotate in accordance with the transport of the waterless lithographic printing plate, and the waterless lithographic printing plate can be smoothly inserted between the brush roller and the roller. Therefore, the lithographic printing plate without water exposed for inspection can be positioned at the inspection position without being scraped by the rubbed brush roller in a stopped state, and the exposure amount can be reduced. The brushing state can be clarified with less. Therefore, workability is improved, and erroneous determination can be prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the lithographic printing plate without water is inserted between the brush roller and the roller with the brush roller stopped. At this time, since the rollers rotate, the insertion operation becomes smooth. When the lithographic printing plate without water is positioned at a predetermined position, the brush roller is rotated. This removes the ink repellent layer by the brush width of the brush roller.
And peel off. By inspecting the brush width, the brush pressure, and the presence / absence of unevenness, the current flushing state by the brush roller can be confirmed. The operator adjusts the position of the brush roller in accordance with the result of the inspection, moves the brush roller by a predetermined pitch, performs the inspection again, and repeats the inspection until the brush width becomes appropriate.

Since the receiving portion of the waterless planographic printing plate that is paired with the brush roller is a roller, the insertion between the brush roller and the roller becomes smooth, and it is not necessary to consider the friction with the brush roller. Therefore, there is no problem even if the waterless planographic printing plate for inspection is exposed with a relatively low exposure amount, the brush width can be clearly displayed, and the inspection work becomes easy.

Since the same waterless planographic printing plate can be inspected a plurality of times, the waterless planographic printing plate for inspection can be effectively used.

[0019]

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a waterless lithographic printing plate processor 200 according to this embodiment. The exposed waterless PS plate 12 is stacked on a box-shaped feeder 202. A cradle 214 supporting the waterless PS plate 12 is supported on the bottom of the feeder 202 via a compression coil spring 206. Thus, the height position of the uppermost waterless PS plate 12 is kept substantially constant.

The waterless PS plate 12 used here is one in which a primer layer, a photosensitive layer, a silicone rubber layer, and a protective film are sequentially laminated on a substrate.

Above the feeder 202, a plate feeding mechanism 2 is provided.
08 is provided. The plate feeding mechanism unit 208 has a waterless P
The suction plate 210 is composed of a suction part 210 for adsorbing the S plate 12 and a rail part 212 for supporting the suction part.
A long hole 214 is formed along the longitudinal direction, and the base of the suction cup 210 is accommodated via a shaft 216. For this reason, the shaft 216 moves along the elongated hole 214 by the driving force of the driving unit (not shown), so that the waterless PS plate 12 adsorbed to the suction cup 210 is conveyed toward the developing device 10. ing.

A guide plate 218 is provided between the feeder 202 and the developing device 10, and a pair of rollers 220 is provided near the leading end of the guide plate 218 in the transport direction. The PS plate 12 without water sandwiched between the rollers 220 is further conveyed, and the protective film adhered to the surface is peeled off by the peeling claw 222, so that the developing device 1
It is set to zero.

The detailed configuration of the developing device 10 will be described later. P without water developed by developing device 10
The S plate 12 is guided to an auto stacker 226 provided at a discharge port via a washing / drying device 224.

The auto stacker 226 has a substantially V shape, and is disposed so that the waterless PS plate 12 discharged from the discharge port leans on the left side wall 228 in FIG. In this state, the left side wall 228 is rotated about the lower end, so that the waterless PS plate 12 is moved to the right side wall 23 in FIG.
In this configuration, the components are stocked in layers so as to lean toward zero.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a waterless lithographic printing plate developing apparatus 10 to which the present invention is applied. The waterless lithographic printing plate developing device 10 includes a developing unit 14 and a dyeing unit 16, and after developing the waterless PS plate 12, performs a dyeing process for facilitating plate inspection work.

As the staining solution 17 used in the staining section 16, a staining solution 17 containing crystal violet, astrazone red, or the like is used.

The developing tank main body 20 of the developing section 14 is opened upward, has a bottom formed in an inverted mountain shape, and a developing water collecting tank 22 is formed in the center of the bottom. Developing water recovery tank 22
A developing water 18 is accommodated therein.

As described above, the developing water 18 does not contain an organic substance in its components, and simple water such as tap water can be used. Further, the hardness of water may be adjusted by mixing a defoaming agent with water to prevent generation of bubbles during circulation, or by adding a chelating agent. Furthermore, the number of times of recycle use may be increased by adding a preservative. An ozone generator may be provided to obtain the same effect as the preservative.

At the upper part of the developing tank main body 20, a pair of conveying rollers 24, 26 and 28 are arranged in order from the entry side of the PS plate 12 without water. The transport roller pairs 24, 26, and 28 are supported by rack side plates (not shown), rotate by receiving the driving force of a drive unit (not shown), and pinch and transport the waterless PS plate 12 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. ing.

A backflow prevention roller 25 is in contact with the upper roller of the transport roller pair 24 to prevent the backflow of the developing water 18. Note that the backflow prevention roller 25 may be provided in other transport lower pairs 26 and 28.

The transport roller pair 28 is disposed at the rear end of the transport path of the waterless PS plate 12 in the developing unit 14 and
It has a role of a squeeze roller for squeezing development water from the S plate 12.

A brush roller 30 is disposed between the transport roller pair 26 and the transport roller pair 28. The brush roller 30 is for scraping the Cie recone layer to correspond to the image portion on the plate surface by rubbing on plate surface of the waterless PS plate 12 to be conveyed. The brush roller 30 is also supported by a side plate (not shown) similarly to the transport roller pairs 24, 26, and 28, and the driving force of a driving unit (not shown) is transmitted,
It is designed to rotate.

The brush roller 30 is formed by planting a brush material in a plastic or metal roll.
The direction following the transport direction of the waterless PS plate 12 (FIG. 2)
(Counter-clockwise direction), the surface of the PS plate 12 without water is rubbed. The rotation speed of the brush roller 30 is 100 to 800 rpm (preferably 20 rpm).
0-600 rpm). Further, it is preferable to dispose a waterless PS plate 12 vignetting prevention lever 31.

The brush roller 30 is rotated and reciprocated in the axial direction, so that the waterless PS
Improves the effect of scraping off the sheet recone layer on the plate surface of the plate 12 (hereinafter, referred to as forward swing this).

The combination of the rotation direction of the brush roller 30 and the rotation direction of the brush roller 100 on the dyeing section 16 described later can be selected as follows. (Developing unit 14)-----(Dyeing unit 16)-Forward rotation--------------------------------------------(- -Forward swinging-Forward swinging-------Forward rotation-Forward swinging------------------------------------------------------------------ When the waterless PS plate 12 passes, the rollers 32
And while waterless PS plate 12 is sandwiched and the brush roller 30, rubbed surface by the brush roller 30, Cie recone layer to correspond to the image portion is reliably adapted to be scraping.

Since the roller 30 is freely rotatable, when the waterless PS plate 12 is conveyed while the brush roller 30 is stopped, the roller 32 is rotated.
, The waterless PS plate 12 is smoothly inserted between the brush roller 30 and the roller 32. Such an operation is not performed during the actual developing process, but the brush roller 30
This is done when inspecting the brushing state of the camera.

That is, the waterless PS plate 12 entirely exposed is sandwiched between the brush roller 30 and the roller 32,
In the stopped state, the brush roller 30 is rotated to determine whether the brush width is appropriate.

In the case of such an inspection, the PS plate 1 without water is used.
2 can be freely inserted and extracted while the brush roller 30 is stopped, so that even if the amount of exposure is reduced and the amount of scraping by the brush roller 30 is increased, the remaining portion at the time of insertion and extraction is peeled off. And an accurate brush width can be obtained.

A spray pipe 34 is disposed above the transport roller pair 24. In the spray pipe 34, discharge ports 34A are provided at appropriate intervals along the axial direction so as to face the upper roller of the transport roller pair 24.
The spray pipe 34 is connected to a pipe 38 via a valve 36.
And a developing water supply device described later. Thereby, the developing water 18 is sent to the spray pipe 34,
By discharging the developing water to the upper roller of the transport roller pair 24,
Developing water is applied onto the PS plate 12 without water.

A pair of transport rollers 26 and a pair of transport rollers 28
Spray pipes 40 and 42 are also arranged between them. The spray pipe 40 is disposed between the brush roller 30 and the transport roller pair 26, and has a discharge port 40A similarly to the spray pipe 34. The discharge port 40 </ b> A of the spray pipe 40 is provided to face the brush roller 30. Like the spray pipe 34, the spray pipe 40 is connected to a developing water supply device described later through a pipe branched from a pipe 38 via a valve 36. Thus, the developing water is sent to the spray pipe 40, and the developing water is discharged and supplied to the brush roller 30.

The spray pipe 42 has a discharge port 42A facing the upper roller of the pair of transport rollers 28. The spray pipe 42 also communicates with a later-described developing water supply device through a pipe branched from the pipe 38 via the valve 36. This allows spray pipe 4
The developing water is sent to the roller 0, and the developing water is discharged to the upper roller of the conveying roller pair 28.

A cover 39 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is arranged so as to extend from the pair of transport rollers 26 to the upper part of the brush roller 30. The cover 39 prevents the developing water 18 from scattering to other parts by the brush roller 30.

The developing water supply device is composed of a circulation pump 44, a filter 46, and a pipe 48 communicating the circulation pump 44 and the developing water collecting tank 22.

The circulation pump 44 is a variable flow rate type pump.
The discharge flow rate is controlled by being connected to the control device 52. The pipe line 38 communicates with the discharge port side of the circulation pump 44,
One end of a conduit 48 communicates with the suction port side. The other end of the pipe 48 is connected to the bottom of the developing water collecting tank 22 via a valve 55 on the way. By the operation of the circulation pump 44, the developing water in the developing water collecting tank 22 is sucked into the circulation pump 44 through the pipe 48 and sent to the spray pipes 34, 40, 42 through the pipe 38. Has become.

A flow sensor 50 is provided in the middle of the pipe 38 so as to detect the flow rate of the developing water passing through the pipe 38. The flow sensor 50 is connected to the control device 52 and transmits a result of detection of the flow rate of the developing water. Although a general flow meter can be used as the flow sensor 50, a rotary type is preferable in order to reduce the size of the apparatus.

[0046] A middle filter 46, line 48 is arranged, development scum 18A from shea recone layer dregs of developing water (scraped from main surface of the waterless PS plate 12 through the conduit 48 ) Is filtered.

A notifying device 56 is connected to the control device 52. When the flow rate of the developing water 18 passing through the pipe 38 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate, the notifying device 56 is notified of a time for replacing the filter 46. As a result, the filter is replaced. The mesh of this filter is 10μ to 500μ (preferably
Is 50 μm to 300 μm) .

A branch pipe 58 branches from the middle of the pipe 48 and communicates via a valve 60 with an overflow tank 62 which is a collecting tank. The overflow tank 62 is provided on the side of the developing water collecting tank 22, is provided on a partition wall of the developing water collecting tank 22, and communicates with the developing water collecting tank 22 through a long hole 64 along the developing water surface. As a result, the surface layer of the developing water 18 in the developing water collecting tank 22 flows over the upper end of the lower partition 22A of the developing water collecting tank 22 and flows into the overflow tank 62. The overflow flow rate of the developing water into the overflow tank 62 is 1/10 to 2/3 (preferably 1/3 to 1/2) of the total circulation amount.
It has been.

When the developing water 18 is replenished by a developing water replenishing device to be described later and the liquid level of the developing water 18 rises, the developing residue 18A once collected in the overflow tank 62 is removed from the upper partition 22B. It does not spread into the water recovery tank 22.

The overflow layer 62 above are openings are openings formed, being adapted to be opened and closed by a lid 66, at the time of maintenance in Overclocking flow tank 62 is adapted to be detached from the opening . A branch pipe 58 communicates with a lower portion of the side wall 68 of the overflow tank 62 so that the developing water in the overflow tank 62 is sucked by the operation of the circulation pump 44. By suction of the circulation pump 44, the surface layer of the developing water in the developing water collecting tank 22 flows into the overflow tank 62,
Developing residue 1 floating in the developing water in the developing water collecting tank 22
8A flows into the overflow tank 62, and the developing residue 18A is collected. In this case, a silicone rubber layer is laminated on the surface of the waterless PS plate 12 for repelling ink, and when the portion corresponding to the image area is scraped off by the brush roller 30, the silicone rubber layer is developed. Residue 1
8A, and is collected into the developing water collecting tank 22 together with excess developing water. In the developing water in the developing water collecting tank 22, since the specific gravity of the developing residue 18A is lower than that of the developing water, the developing residue 18A floats on the surface layer of the developing water. Further, the lower partition wall 22A functions as a so-called weir for collecting and developing the surface debris 18A in the developing water recovery tank 22 into the overflow tank 62. In addition, the overflow tank 6 is supplied by replenishment of the developing water described later.
When the liquid level of the developing water 18 in the container 2 rises, the upper partition wall 22B functions as a weir so that the collected developer residue 18A does not spread into the developing water collecting tank 22.

An overflow pipe 70 is provided in the overflow tank 62. As shown in FIG. 3, the overflow pipe 70 is provided in the overflow tank 6.
2 is supported by a circular hole 152 provided at the bottom of the support tank 150 and attached to a lower portion of the overflow tank 62.
And protrudes outward.

As shown in FIG. 4, the overflow pipe 7
Below 0, a waste liquid storage / evaporation tank 154 is provided. The waste liquid storage / evaporation tank 154 has a box shape with an open top, and stores waste liquid flowing out of the overflow pipe 70. Inside the waste liquid storage / evaporation tank 154, a thin vinyl sheet member 15 is provided along the inner peripheral surface.
6 are laid. Therefore, the waste liquid is stored in the sheet member 156.

A through hole 158 is formed in the bottom surface of the waste liquid storage / evaporation tank 154, and a heater unit 160 is attached to the through hole 158. In the heater unit 160, a metal (preferably aluminum or the like) heating casing 162 is formed in a so-called hat shape, and penetrates through the through-hole 158 to slightly project into the waste liquid storage / evaporation tank 154. The flange 164 of the heating casing 162 corresponds to the flange 170 of the casing main body 168 that accommodates the heater section 166, and is connected by a bolt (not shown). The heater unit 166 includes a heater driving unit 172 connected to the control device 52 and a heater wire 174.
By passing a predetermined current through the heating casing 162
Is heated, and the waste heat in the waste liquid storage / evaporation tank 154 is heated by the heat. For this reason, the temperature of the waste liquid rises, and the water evaporates.

A float type level sensor 176 connected to the controller 52 is mounted on the upper part of the waste liquid storage / evaporation tank 154 so that the controller 52 can recognize that the stored amount of waste liquid exceeds a certain amount. Has become. Control device 52
Then, upon receiving this signal, the processing is temporarily stopped, and it is urged to remove the waste liquid.

By the way, the waste liquid contains the development residue 1 during the development.
Since 8A is mixed in, after the water is evaporated and the waste liquid is concentrated, only the developing residue 18A remains. The developed waste 18A is transported (disposed) to an appropriate place together with the sheet member 156. That is, by lifting the sheet member 156, the waste liquid storage / evaporation tank 154 is lifted.
It can be easily taken out from the device.

On the other hand, the upper end of the overflow tube 70 is set higher than the lower end of the upper partition wall 22B of the developing water recovery tank 22 at the normal position (the position indicated by the imaginary line in FIG. 3). For this reason,
When the developing water 18 is replenished by a developing water replenishing device described later and the liquid level of the developing water 18 in the developing water collecting tank 22 rises (at a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2), the developing water 18 submerges and overflows. The surface layer of the developing water 18 in the inside
At the same time, an overflow pipe 70 flows out.

As shown in FIG. 5, the overflow pipe 7
The shape of the upper end of 0 is a tapered portion 70A whose diameter gradually decreases as the outer periphery approaches the upper end.
The tapered portion 70A causes the contact surface of the development waste 18A to be a slope, so that the development waste 18A smoothly flows down into the overflow pipe 70.

The material of the overflow pipe 70 is polypropylene. The surface tension of this polypropylene is 29.4 mN / m (= dyn /
cm), which is much lower than the surface tension of the conventionally applied polyvinyl chloride pipe, 41.9 mN / m. For this reason, the development dust 18A is reduced from adhering when touching the overflow pipe 70, and smoothly flows down along the slope.

Other materials include, but are not limited to, 37 mN / m, which is the surface tension of polyethylene. It is preferable to apply Teflon (21.5 to 23.9 mN / m) or the like in addition to the above polypropylene, that is, 30 mN / m or less.

As shown in FIG. 4, the overflow pipe 7
A vibrator 178 is mounted around the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the zero. The vibrator 178 has a function of generating fine vibration by a signal from the oscillator 179 connected to the control device 52 and vibrating the overflow tube 70 itself. Due to this vibration, the development residue 18A does not stay near the upper end of the overflow pipe 70, and the movement along the slope can be promoted.

As shown in FIG. 3, a long hole 180 is provided on the side surface of the support block 150, and a projection 182 projecting radially from the peripheral surface of the overflow pipe 70 is penetrated. . The projection 182 is supported by the eccentric cam 184. The eccentric cam 184 is connected to the rotating shaft 1 of the motor 186 attached to the overflow layer 62.
88. The motor 186 is driven by a signal from the control device 52, and when the eccentric cam 184 is rotated by the driving of the motor 186, the protrusion 182 is
The overflow pipe 70 is moved up and down by being moved up and down along 80.

When the projection 182 is located at the lowermost end of the long hole 180 (see the solid line in FIG. 3), the overflow pipe 70
The difference between the upper end of the pipe and the liquid level increases, and the overflow pipe 7
The flow rate of the developing water flowing down to zero can be increased. In addition, normally, the position is indicated by the imaginary line in FIG.

The developing water replenishing device includes a water tank 74 containing water and a water supply pump 78 for supplying water into the developing water collecting tank 22. Water supply pump 78
The water sent to the developing water recovery tank 22 is sent to the tray 82. The receiving tray 82 has a cylindrical shape, and water is discharged from an opening at the lower end.

The control unit 52 includes an aluminum detector 8 disposed on the entrance side of the developing unit 14 for detecting a passing amount of the waterless PS plate 12, that is, a processing amount (an area of the waterless PS plate 12).
6 is connected to supply a processing amount to the control device 52. The aluminum detector 86 has a plurality of phototubes arranged along the width direction of the waterless PS plate 12 and measures the time required for the waterless PS plate 12 to pass above the aluminum detector 86 to obtain an area on the plate surface. Alternatively, the length of the waterless PS plate 12 in the width direction may be input to the apparatus in advance, and the area may be detected by detecting the length with one photoelectric tube.

A heater 88 is provided at the bottom of the developing water collecting tank 22. The heater 88 is connected to a power supply (not shown) to heat the developing water 18. The temperature of the developing water 18 is set to 15 by the heater 88.
° C to 60 ° C (preferably 25 ° C to 50 ° C ).

The developing time in this apparatus is 10 seconds to
The staining time is set to 3 minutes (preferably 30 seconds to 2 minutes), and the staining time is set to 5 seconds to 1 minute (preferably 10 seconds to 30 seconds). Further, a developing tank can be added as required.

Next, the dyeing section 16 will be described. The dyeing tank main body 90 of the dyeing section 16 is opened upward like the developing tank main body 20, has a bottom formed in an inverted mountain shape, and a dyeing liquid recovery tank 92 is formed in the center of the bottom. Staining solution recovery tank 9
A staining solution 17 is accommodated in 2. An overflow pipe 91 is arranged in the staining liquid recovery tank 92. The upper end of the overflow pipe 91 is located at the upper part in the staining liquid collecting tank 92, and the lower end penetrates the bottom of the staining liquid collecting tank 92 and projects outward. This overflow pipe 91
When the level of the liquid in the staining liquid recovery tank 92 rises due to the replenishment of the staining liquid by the staining liquid replenishing device described later, and exceeds the upper end of the overflow pipe 91, the staining liquid 17 is moved outward from the inside of the staining liquid recovery tank 92. And the level of the staining solution 17 is set.

At the upper part of the dyeing tank main body 90, a pair of conveying rollers 94 and 96 are sequentially arranged from the entrance side to the dyeing tank main body 90 along the conveying direction of the waterless PS plate 12. The conveying roller pairs 94 and 96 are supported by a rack side plate (not shown), and are rotated by transmitting a driving force of a driving unit (not shown).
The waterless PS plate 12 is nipped and transported. These transport roller pairs 94 and 96 are formed of a general rubber material so as not to damage the surface of the waterless PS plate 12 to be transported.

The upper end of the transport roller pair 94 is in contact with the tip of the blade 95. As a result, the developing residue adhering to the conveying roller pair 94 is removed by the blade 9
5 to keep the surface of the transport roller pair 94 smooth. The blade 95 also has a role of preventing backflow.

The blade is provided with a pair of conveying rollers 96.
May also be provided. Waterless PS plate 1 of the dyeing tank main body 90
A transport roller pair 98 is disposed downstream of the second transport direction. The transport roller pair 98 is made of a roll material such as NBR rubber (nitrile butadiene rubber) or a Molton roller, so that the wiping ability of the staining liquid 17 is improved.

A brush roller 100 is arranged between the pair of transport rollers 94 and 96. The brush roller 100 is also supported by a side plate (not shown) similarly to the pair of transport rollers 94 and 96, and a driving force of a driving unit (not shown) is transmitted to the brush roller 100 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the pair of transport rollers 94 and 96.
(Clockwise in FIG. 2) . The brush roller 100 is formed by implanting a brush material in a plastic or metal roll, and is provided with a water-free PS.
The direction opposite to the transport direction of the plate 12 (clockwise direction in FIG. 2)
) , The surface of the PS plate 12 without water is rubbed. In some cases, the plate may be rotated in the forward direction with respect to the transport direction of the waterless PS plate. Brush roller 1
00 is 100 to 800 rpm (preferably 20 rpm).
0-600 rpm). P without water
It is preferable to dispose a vignetting prevention lever to prevent S-plate vignetting.

A roller 32 is arranged below the brush roller 100. For this reason, when the waterless PS plate 12 passes, it is conveyed while being sandwiched between the brush roller 100 and the roller 32, and the dyeing liquid 17 is applied to the surface by the brush roller 100.

A spray pipe 104 is provided above the brush roller 100. This spray pipe 1
Reference numeral 04 is surrounded by a substantially U-shaped current plate 106. A suitable number of discharge ports 104A are formed in the spray pipe 104 along the axial direction so as to face the current plate 106.

The spray pipe 104 is connected to a valve 108
The pipe 110 communicates with a staining liquid supply device to be described later. As a result, the staining liquid 17 is sent to the spray pipe 104 and is discharged toward the current plate 106,
The dyeing liquid 17 is supplied to the brush roller 100 while being guided by the current plate 106. At this time, the staining solution 17 is
It spreads while flowing down on the plate, and is uniformly supplied onto the brush roller 100.

A spray pipe 112 is also provided between the brush roller 100 and the transport roller pair 96 on the transport roller pair 96 side. The spray pipe 112 is also surrounded by a substantially U-shaped current plate 106 like the spray pipe 104. This spray pipe 112 has a discharge port 112A.
Are provided along the axial direction in opposition to the current plate 106. Spray pipe 112 is spray pipe 1
As in the case of the apparatus 04, the apparatus is connected to a staining liquid supply device described later via a pipe 108 through a valve 108. As a result, the dyeing liquid 17 is sent to the spray pipe 112, discharged and guided toward the current plate 106, and supplied to the upper roller of the transport roller pair 96. At this time, the dyeing liquid 17 spreads while flowing down on the plate of the current plate 106, and is uniformly supplied to the conveying roller pair 96.

A cover 107 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is disposed above the brush roller 100 and the transport roller pair 96. The cover 107 prevents the dyeing liquid from being scattered by the brush roller 100.

The dye supply device includes a circulation pump 114, a filter 116, a circulation pump 114 and a dye recovery tank 92.
And a conduit 118 communicating the same. The pipe 110 is connected to the discharge port side of the circulation pump 114, and one end of the pipe 118 is connected to the suction port side. Conduit 118
Is connected to the bottom of the staining solution recovery tank 92. By the operation of the circulation pump 114, the staining liquid recovery tank 92
The dye solution in the inside is sucked into the circulation pump 114 through the line 118 and is sprayed through the line 110 through the spray pipe 10.
4, 112.

A filter 116 is provided in the middle of the pipe 118, and the residue in the dye solution passing through the pipe 118 (mainly scraped off from the surface of the waterless PS plate 12 brought in from the developing unit) It removes the residue from the photosensitive layer and the silicone layer.

The dyeing liquid replenishing device is constituted by a dyeing liquid tank 122 containing the dyeing liquid 17 and a dyeing liquid supply pump 124 for supplying the dyeing liquid into the dyeing liquid recovery tank 92.

One end of a pipe 126 is connected to the dye tank 122, and the other end is open to a wide-mouth pipe 82 provided in the dye recovery tank 92. A dye supply pump 124 is provided in the middle of the pipe 126. The dye supply pump 124 is connected to the control device 52, and the operation timing, that is, the operation at the time of replenishment of the stain 17 is controlled. The replenishment rate of the staining solution 17 is set to 5 to 100 cc / m ² (preferably 10 to 60 cc / m ² ).

A heater 88 is provided at the bottom of the dye recovery tank 92.
Is provided, and is connected to a power supply (not shown) to heat the staining solution 17. The temperature of the dyeing solution 17 is set at 15 to 45 ° C (preferably 20 to 40 ° C). Further, the number of dyeing tanks can be increased as needed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The brushing state of the brush roller 30 is inspected in a brush width measurement mode before or at regular intervals. For this inspection, the waterless PS plate for inspection is exposed entirely at a low exposure amount. Hereinafter, this inspection process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 300, the rotation time T of the brush roller 30 is set, and then in step 302
, An initial stop position P (mm) of the waterless PS plate 12 is set. This P is a dimension from the leading end in the transport direction of the PS plate 12 without water.

In the next step 304 , the waterless PS plate 12
To detect the insertion of the plate. Then step 306
Then, the transport rollers 24, 26, 2
8, 94, 96, 98 and the circulation pump 44
You.

At this time, since the lower roller 32 of the brush roller 30 is freely rotatable, even if the brush roller 32 is stopped, the waterless PS plate 12 can be inserted.
The roller 32 rotates accordingly, and the waterless PS plate 12 can be smoothly inserted between the brush roller 30 and the roller 32.

At step 308, the PS plate 1 without water is used.
If it is determined that No. 2 has reached the predetermined insertion amount (P), the flow shifts to step 310 to stop the conveyance . This allows
The conveying roller pairs 24 and 26 and the roller 32 stop rotating.
Thus, the waterless PS plate 12 is positioned at the inspection position. water
When the PS plate 12 is positioned at the inspection position, the rotation of the brush roller 30 is started in step 312. At this time, since the waterless PS plate 12 is in a stopped state, only the same location is brushed in a band shape, and only the brush width of the brush roller 32 is cut.

If it is determined in the next step 314 that the predetermined time T has elapsed, the flow proceeds to step 316 to stop the rotation of the brush roller 30, and then, in step 318, the waterless PS plate 12 is discharged. At 320, the circulation pump 44 is stopped. Discharge PS plate 12 without water
At times, the roller 32 is moved in accordance with the conveyance of the PS plate 12 without water.
Is rotated, the waterless PS plate 12 is not damaged by the brush roller 30 in the rotation stopped state .

Thus, the operator can visually observe the portion cut by the brush roller 30. The appropriate value of the developing brush width is 15 to 20 mm.
The appropriate value for the color brush width is 5 to 15 mm.
Is inspected by an inspection process.

As a result of the inspection, if it is determined that the result is OK, that is, the value falls within the range of the appropriate value, step 3
The process proceeds from step 22 to step 324 to determine whether the mode has been switched to the normal mode. That is, steps 322 and 324 are repeated until it is determined in step 324 that the normal mode has been set. If an affirmative determination is made in step 324, the brush width measurement mode routine ends.

If the test result is NG, a retest is instructed in step 322 (affirmative decision), and the routine proceeds to step 326, where a predetermined amount L is added to P to obtain a new P, and step 304 is performed. Then, the above steps are repeated.

The predetermined amount L is in the range from 20 mm to 50 mm. That is, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, brushing can be repeatedly performed on one waterless PS plate 12 many times, and the waterless PS plate for inspection can be effectively used. it can.

[0092] The dyeing brush 100 can be measured in the same manner. Next, a normal processing procedure will be described.
The waterless PS plate 12 on which an image is printed by an image printing device (not shown) is inserted into the developing unit 14 after passing above the aluminum detector 86. A portion where the photosensitive layer of the waterless PS plate 12 inserted into the developing unit 14 is irradiated with light, that is, an exposed portion is cured and adheres to the silicone layer, and an unexposed portion can be swollen or eluted by the developing water 18. It has become.

In this state, after the protective film laminated to protect the surface of the waterless PS plate 12 with the peeling claw 222 is peeled off, the waterless PS plate 12 is inserted into the developing unit 14 and The developing water 18 is applied to the surface while being nipped and transported by the transport roller pair 24. As a result, the photosensitive layer in the unexposed portion (image portion) of the waterless PS plate 12 swells and the silicone layer is easily peeled off. Further, the waterless PS plate 12 is nipped and transported by the transport roller pair 26 and inserted between the brush roller 30 and the roller 32. The brush roller 30 rotates in a direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) similar to the transport direction of the waterless PS plate 12, and the roller 32
The upper surface of the waterless PS plate 12 passing above is rubbed. This is supplied with the developing water 18 also to the brush roller 30, while waterless PS plate 12 is coated with developing water 18, the surface is rubbed by the brush roller 30, Siri <br/> cone by the developing water 18 The layer is scraped. By this, PS version 1 without water
In No. 2, a photosensitive layer and a silicone layer corresponding to an exposed portion (non-image portion) remain, and a positive image is formed.

The excess developing water 18 after development of the developing water 18 applied to the surface of the waterless PS plate 12 is transferred to the developing water collecting tank 2.
It falls into 2 and is collected.

Further, the water-free P in which the silicone layer of the unexposed portion (image portion) was scraped off by the brush roller 30
The S plate 12 is nipped and conveyed by the conveying roller pair 28, and the developing water 18 is applied again, and the developing water 18 is squeezed out of the PS plate 12 without water. The waterless PS plate 12 in this state is inserted between the conveying roller pair 94 of the dyeing section 16. The waterless PS plate 12 is inserted between the brush roller 100 and the roller 32 by the nip conveyance by the conveyance roller pair 94. The brush roller 100 rotates in a direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 2) opposite to the transport direction of the waterless PS plate 12, and transfers the dyeing liquid 17 guided by the current plate 104 to the waterless PS plate 12.
It is applied to the upper surface of the S plate 12. As a result, the staining solution 17 adheres to the photosensitive layer, that is, the unexposed portion (image portion), and is stained.

Further, the PS plate 12 without water is provided with a pair of conveying rollers 9.
6 and to the upper roller of the conveying roller pair 96,
Staining solution 17 guided and supplied by current plate 106
The dyeing solution 17 is squeezed out while being applied to the surface and squeezed. This dyeing is carried out after development without water P
Since the image portion and the non-image portion surface of the S plate 12 are of the same color, this is a process for making it easy to distinguish the image portion and the non-image portion, and is a process performed for plate inspection work.

After the water-free PS plate 12 whose image portion has been dyed is sent out from the dyeing portion 16, it is inserted between the pair of transport rollers 98, and the dyeing liquid 17 remaining on the surface is wiped off. This conveying roller pair 98 is made of NBR rubber or Molton
Since it is formed with a roller, the wiping property of the staining liquid 17 is improved. In particular , if the dyeing solution 17 remains in the non-image area, the ink repulsion of the silicone rubber layer is reduced,
Although a good image cannot be obtained at the time of printing, the dyeing solution is reliably squeezed from the surface by the conveying roller pair 98.
Good images can be obtained. After this, a washing and drying step may be provided.

Next, circulation of the developing water 18 in the developing section 14, removal of debris, and replenishment of the developing water 18 will be described.

<Circulation> As shown in FIG.
The spray pipe 3 is operated by the circulation pump 44.
4, and are applied to the PS plate 12 without water, which is conveyed through the developing unit 14. The surplus developing water 18 after application of the waterless PS plate 12 falls and is collected in the developing water collecting tank 22. In the developing water collected in the developing water collecting tank 22, there is mixed a developing residue 18A such as a photosensitive layer which has been peeled off from the surface of the waterless PS plate 12.
A has a specific gravity lighter than that of the developing water.
Floating in the surface layer of developing water. In this state, the developing water 18 in the developing water collecting tank 22 flows into the overflow tank 62 over the lower partition 22A. As a result, the developing residue 18A floating on the surface layer of the developing water 18 flows into the overflow tank 62 and is accumulated in the overflow tank 62.

If the filter 46 is clogged by the development waste 18A, the circulation flow rate of the developing water 18 passing through the pipe 38 is reduced. This is detected by the flow rate sensor 50, and the detection result is transmitted to the control device 52. The control device 52 operates the notifying device 56 to notify that the filter 46 is clogged. This allows the operator to know when to replace the filter 46 with a new one.

Further, when the developing water is replenished into the developing water collecting tank 22, the level of the developing water in the developing water collecting tank 22 rises.
The height of the liquid level of the developing water (the developing residue 18A is collected on the surface layer) in the liquid 2 also increases, and the upper end of the overflow pipe 70 is submerged. At this time, when the motor 186 is driven to rotate the eccentric cam 184, the eccentric cam 18
4 reaches the lower end of the elongated hole 180, the overflow pipe 70 is further moved downward, and the difference between the upper end of the overflow pipe 70 and the liquid level can be increased.

As a result, the developing water in the overflow tank 62 is discharged to the outside through the overflow pipe 70 from the surface layer (the developing residue 18A is floating). Here, since the tapered portion 70 is formed at the tip of the overflow pipe 70 and the material is made of polypropylene having a small surface tension, the development waste 18A does not adhere around the opening of the overflow pipe 70, so that the run down.
Further, in this case, since the overflow pipe 70 is lowered, the flow velocity is increased, and the development residue 18A does not remain.

Further, since the vibrator 178 is operated to prevent the development residue 18A from remaining, the inflow effect can be promoted along the slope.

At this time, the upper partition wall 22B of the developing water collecting tank 22 forming the through-hole 64 functions as a weir, and is trapped in the overflow tank 62 once. Does not diffuse into the developing water collecting tank 22.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the developing waste 18A is discharged to the outside when the water is replenished by the overflow pipe 70, clogging of the filter is reduced.
Long-term stable development can be performed. Further, the circulation path of the developing water 18 is divided into a branch pipe 58 and a pipe 48.
Since the development waste 18A can be removed from the development water 18 as a system, the development waste 18A does not accumulate in the development water recovery tank 22 and the circulating pump 44, and maintenance thereof is facilitated.

The developing water (waste liquid) flowing into the overflow pipe 70 is guided to a waste liquid storage / evaporation tank 154. The waste liquid storage / evaporation tank 154 is provided with a heater unit 160, and the waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage / evaporation tank 154 is heated. By this heating, the water content of the waste liquid evaporates, leaving only the development residue 18A.

The amount of water to be evaporated is determined by the overflow pipe 7
If the amount is smaller than the amount flowing into the waste liquid storage / evaporation tank 15,
The waste liquid in 4 gradually increases. This is detected by the level sensor 176, and a signal is sent to the control device 52.
Here, the control device 52 determines that the waste liquid is full, and stops the processing. By disposing of the waste liquid during the stop of the processing, the waste liquid is prevented from overflowing from the waste liquid storage / evaporation tank 154.

When the amount of the developing residue 18A remaining in the waste liquid storage / evaporation tank 154 reaches a predetermined amount, the sheet member 156 is taken out of the waste liquid storage / evaporation tank 154 and disposed. Since the development waste 18A is in a concentrated state with almost no water content, it is easy to carry, and does not pollute the environment, and can be properly disposed of by incineration or the like. <Replenishing developing water>
The waterless PS plate 12 inserted into the developing unit 14 is detected by the aluminum detector 86, and the processing amount is detected.

On the basis of the detection result, the control device 52 operates the water supply pump 78 to transfer the developing solution to the developing water collecting tank 2.
Supply into 2. This replenishment is replenished according to the processing amount of the waterless PS plate 12, that is, the area.

The replenishing rate of the water is set at 250 to 2000 cc / time. As a method of supplying the developing water 18, there is a method in which the developing water 18 is constantly supplied within a range of 0.1 liter / min to 10 liter / min while the processing apparatus is operating, and is discharged from the overflow.

Next, the replenishment of the staining solution 17 in the staining section 16 will be described. Waterless PS plate 12 inserted into the dyeing section 16
Developing water 18 remains on the surface, and the dyeing solution 17 is applied in this state. For this reason, the developing water 18 is carried into the dyeing liquid 17 collected in the dyeing liquid collecting tank 92 after dyeing, and the dyeing liquid 17 is deteriorated. PS version 12 without water
The dyeing solution 17 deteriorates depending on the amount of dyeing treatment. For this reason, based on the detection result of the area of the PS plate 12 without water by the aluminum detector 86, the control device 52
24 is operated to supply the staining liquid into the staining liquid recovery tank 92. As a result, the staining ability of the staining solution 17 does not decrease, and a long-term stable staining process can be performed.

In this embodiment, the overflow pipe 70
The upper end of the developing water 18 is set to a height at which the liquid is submerged when the liquid level rises due to the replenishment of the developing water 18, but is not limited to this, and is slightly lower than the liquid level of the developing water 18 when the developing water 18 is circulated. The position may be set so that the developing waste 18A can be discharged from the overflow pipe 70 even during circulation.

[0113]

As described above, the brushing structure and the brushing adjustment method of the waterless lithographic printing plate developing device according to the present invention can improve the insertability of the waterless lithographic printing plate with the brush roller stopped when the brushing state is inspected. Thus, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the inspection work can be improved by reducing the exposure amount of the planographic printing plate without water for inspection.

Further, in addition to the above effects, an excellent effect that a waterless printing plate for inspection can be effectively used can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a waterless PS plate processing machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a lithographic printing plate developing apparatus without water according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bottom portion of the overflow device.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a waste liquid storage / evaporation tank.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the shape of the upper end of the overflow pipe.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for checking a brush width of a brush roller.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a plan view and a side view showing a brushing state by a brush roller.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 waterless lithographic printing plate developing device 12 waterless lithographic printing plate (PS plate) 14 developing unit 18 developing water 22 developing water recovery tank 30 brush roller 32 roller

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A brush roller corresponding to an exposed surface of a waterless lithographic printing plate and rubbing an ink repellent layer by rotating with a driving force, and the brush roller disposed on a side opposite to the exposed surface of the waterless lithographic printing plate. And hold the lithographic printing plate without water, and inspect the brushing condition of the brush roller.
The inspection position facing the brush roller in the rotation stopped state
A brushing structure of a waterless lithographic printing plate developing device, comprising: a roller that rotates and stops in accordance with the transport of the waterless lithographic printing plate when positioning the waterless lithographic printing plate on a holder. 2. A waterless planographic printing plate developing apparatus for removing an ink repellent layer in a non-exposed area while rubbing an exposed surface with a brush roller when developing a waterless planographic printing plate. A brushing adjustment method for a waterless lithographic printing plate developing device for adjusting a brushing state of an ink repellent layer in a waterless lithographic printing plate stopped state,
A roller for sandwiching the waterless lithographic printing plate with the brush roller is provided, and when the brush roller is stopped, the brush roller and the roller are exposed with a relatively low exposure amount, and the adhesive force of the ink repellent layer is reduced. Insert a weak waterless lithographic printing plate, inspect the brushing state that occurs when the brush roller is rotated for a predetermined time while stopped at a predetermined position, adjust the brush width and brush pressure, and move by a predetermined pitch A brushing adjustment method for a waterless lithographic printing plate developing apparatus, wherein the inspection is performed again.