JP3396607B2 - Printing equipment - 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 apparatus that records an image on a printing plate to make a plate and then supplies ink to the printing plate to perform printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional general printing apparatus, in a plate making process, a film on which a black and white binary image is recorded and a printing plate are brought into close contact with each other and exposed to produce a printing plate, and the printing plate is printed. The printing process was executed after the device was mounted on the device.

On the other hand, in recent years, a printing apparatus generally called a digital printing machine has been proposed which can perform such a plate making process and a printing process by one device.
This digital printing machine employs a "computer to plate" system in which a printing plate is directly scanned and exposed by a laser beam or the like modulated based on an image signal to form an image on the printing plate.

As one of the prior arts for such a digital printing machine, a printing apparatus called Quick Master DI46-4 is sold by Heidelberg PMT Co., Ltd. FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the outline of this printing apparatus.

This printing apparatus performs printing by an offset printing method, and has a blanket cylinder 2 and a plate cylinder 3 around an impression cylinder 1 on which four printing sheets can be mounted on the outer periphery thereof.
The ink supply device 4 and the image recording device 5 are provided in four sets each. These four sets of blanket cylinder 2, plate cylinder 3, ink supply device 4 and image recording device 5
Correspond to cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), respectively.

In this printing apparatus, a printing plate, which is housed in a roll state in each plate cylinder 3 and has no recorded image, is unwound onto the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 3. Then, the printing plate is made by irradiating the printing plate with a modulated laser beam output from each image recording device 5 to form an image on the printing plate.

Next, ink is supplied onto each of the printing plates made by the plate by each ink supply device 4. Further, the four printing papers supplied from the paper supply unit 6 are mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the impression cylinder 1. Then, by rotating the impression cylinder 1, the blanket cylinder 2, and the plate cylinder 3 in contact with each other, the ink on each printing plate is sequentially transferred to the printing paper on the impression cylinder 1 via each blanket cylinder 2. , 4 colors are printed on each printing paper. The printing paper on which printing has been completed is ejected to the paper ejection unit 8 by the paper ejection mechanism 7.

In normal offset printing,
Ink is supplied after supplying dampening water to the printing plate in advance. In this printing device, a waterless planographic plate is provided which does not require supply of dampening water by disposing a silicone rubber layer on the surface of the printing plate. By using, the supply of dampening water by the dampening water supply device is omitted.

Further, in the ordinary plate making process of the printing plate, the plate is made by irradiating the printing plate with a laser beam by the image recording device 5 and then developing the printing plate. In (1), since the printing plate is of a type in which plate making can be completed only by irradiation with a laser beam, development processing by the development processing device after laser irradiation is omitted.

[0010]

In the conventional printing apparatus shown in FIG. 24, since the printing plate is made on the plate cylinder 3, the blanket cylinder 2 and the ink supply are provided around the plate cylinder 3. It is necessary to provide an image recording device 5 in addition to the device 4. Therefore, it is difficult to secure a sufficient space for disposing these members.

Particularly, in the printing apparatus shown in FIG.
The dampening water supply device and the development processing device are omitted by using a waterless planographic plate of a type in which plate making is completed only by irradiation of a laser beam. However, when using a general printing plate, it is necessary to use these dampening water supply device and developing processing device. For this reason,
Around the plate cylinder 3, in addition to the blanket cylinder 2, the ink supply device 4, and the image recording device 5 described above, it is necessary to dispose a dampening water supply device and a development processing device.
It is virtually impossible to arrange these members around the plate cylinder 3.

Further, when a plate supply device for supplying a printing plate to the plate cylinder 3 and a plate discharge device for discharging the printing plate from the plate cylinder are arranged around the plate cylinder 3, a sufficient space is required. Become.

Further, in the conventional printing apparatus shown in FIG. 24, in order to form an image on each of the printing plates mounted on the plurality of plate cylinders 3, an image recording device 5 is provided at a position facing each plate cylinder 3. Need to be placed. For this reason, a plurality of image recording devices 5 are required, which not only complicates the device but also increases the cost of the entire device.

Therefore, the applicant of the present invention intends to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing a printing apparatus in which an image is recorded on a printing plate to make the plate and then ink is supplied to the printing plate to perform printing. A plate cylinder that holds the printing plate on its outer periphery, an image recording device that records an image on the printing plate held by the plate cylinder, and the plate cylinder that is held on the image recording position facing the image recording device and the plate cylinder. There is proposed a plate cylinder moving type printing apparatus provided with a plate cylinder moving mechanism that moves the printing plate to a printing position where printing is performed (Japanese Patent Application No. 9-95023).

According to this printing device, the image recording device and the like used in the plate making process of the printing plate and the dampening water supply device and the ink supply device used in the printing process are separately provided without interfering with each other. Since it can be arranged at the position, it is easy to secure a space for arranging them, and it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in the arrangement relationship.

By the way, in such a printing cylinder moving type printing apparatus, for the convenience of installation of a dampening water supply apparatus, an ink supply apparatus, etc., in the moving path of the plate cylinder between the image recording position and the printing position. In some cases, it is necessary to provide a dampening water supply device for supplying dampening water to the printing plate mounted on the plate cylinder.

In such a case, in order to avoid the interference between the plate cylinder and the dampening water supply device when the plate cylinder moves, the dampening water supply device is retracted to a position separated from the moving path of the plate cylinder. Is required. At this time, since the dampening water supply device is provided with a dampening water storage part called a water boat for storing the dampening water, the dampening water storage device stores the dampening water when the dampening water supply device moves. It is necessary to prevent dampening water from flowing out of the section.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a printing cylinder moving type printing apparatus capable of retracting the dampening water supply apparatus while preventing the dampening water from flowing out. With the goal.

[0019]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus for printing after printing an image on a printing plate to make the plate and then supplying dampening water and ink to the printing plate. And a plate cylinder that holds the printing plate on its outer periphery, an image recording device that records an image on the printing plate held by the plate cylinder, and an image recording position where the plate cylinder faces the image recording device. And a plate cylinder moving mechanism that moves between a printing position where printing is performed by the printing plate held on the plate cylinder, a dampening water reservoir for storing the dampening water, and the dampening water reservoir. Dampening water supply device having a dampening water roller for supplying the dampening water stored in the printing section to the printing plate held by the plate cylinder, and the dampening water supply device With the dampening water reservoir of the device kept horizontal, the plate cylinder moving mechanism moves the plate cylinder. And further comprising a dampening water supply device moving mechanism that moves between a position spaced from the position and the moving path in the path.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the dampening water supply device moving mechanism includes a first shaft for rotatably supporting the dampening water supply device, By rotating the dampening water supply device about the first shaft, the dampening water supply device is moved to a position in the moving path of the plate cylinder by the plate cylinder moving mechanism and a position separated from the moving path. Drive means for moving the dampening water reservoir, a support member for supporting the dampening water storage portion, a second shaft for rotatably supporting the support member with respect to the dampening water supply device, and the drive When the dampening water supply device is rotated about the first shaft by driving the means, the support member is rotated with the rotation of the entire dampening water supply device about the second shaft. Rotation that prevents rotation of the dampening water reservoir by rotating in the direction opposite to the rotation direction And a stop means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the second aspect, one end of the rotation preventing means is connected to the main body of the printing apparatus so as to be rotatable about a third shaft, and the other end thereof. Has a link member rotatably connected to the support member about a fourth shaft, and the link member is the first member.
Between the second axis and the third axis, and the third axis and the fourth axis
And the distance between the first axis and the third axis is equal to the distance between the second axis and the fourth axis.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

This printing apparatus comprises a first and a second plate cylinder 11,
After the image is recorded on a printing plate on which the image held on 12 is not recorded and the plate is made, the ink supplied to the printing plate is transferred to the impression cylinder 15 through the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14. Printing is performed by transferring to the printing paper held.

This printing apparatus includes a first plate cylinder 11 movable between a first printing position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 and an image recording position shown by a chain double-dashed line, and a first plate cylinder shown by a solid line in FIG. The second plate cylinder 12 is movable between two printing positions and the image recording position.

The first plate cylinder 11 moved to the first printing position
Around the periphery of the ink, an ink supply device 20a for supplying, for example, black (K) ink to the printing plate, an ink supply device 20b for supplying, for example, magenta (M) ink to the printing plate, and a printing plate Damping water supply devices 21a and 21b for supplying dampening water are arranged. Further, around the second plate cylinder 12 that has moved to the second printing position, an ink supply device 20c for supplying, for example, cyan (C) ink to the printing plate, and for example, yellow (Y) to the printing plate.
An ink supply device 20d for supplying the ink, and a dampening water supply device 21c for supplying the dampening water to the printing plate,
21d and are arranged. Further, around the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12 that has moved to the image recording position, the plate supply section 23, the plate discharge section 24, and the image recording device 25.
And a development processing device 26 are arranged.

Further, in this printing apparatus, the first blanket cylinder 13 provided so as to be able to contact the first plate cylinder 11 and the second blanket provided so as to be able to contact the second plate cylinder 12. The impression cylinder 1 provided so as to be able to contact the cylinder 14 and the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 at different positions.
5, a paper feed cylinder 16 for passing the print paper supplied from the paper feed unit 27 to the impression cylinder 15, and a chain 1 for discharging the printed print paper received from the impression cylinder 15 to the paper discharge unit 28.
Paper discharge cylinder 17 around which 9 is wound, and blanket cleaning device 29
Have and.

The first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 are connected to first and second plate cylinder moving mechanisms 31 and 32, respectively, which will be described later, and the first and second plate cylinder moving mechanisms are respectively connected. 31, 3
The drive of 2 reciprocates between the above-described first or second printing position and the image recording position.

Further, as will be described later, gears 51 arranged concentrically with the first and second plate cylinders 11 are attached to the sides of the first and second plate cylinders 11, respectively. Further, gears 52 arranged concentrically with the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 are attached to the sides of the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14, respectively. Then, when the first plate cylinder 11 is moved to the first printing position, the first plate cylinder 1
The gear 51 attached to No. 1 and the gear 52 attached to the first blanket cylinder 13 are configured to mesh with each other. Similarly, when the second plate cylinder 12 is moved to the second printing position, the gear 51 attached to the second plate cylinder 12 and the gear 52 attached to the second blanket cylinder 14 are also shown.
And are configured to mesh with each other.

Therefore, the first plate cylinder 11 rotates in synchronization with the first blanket cylinder 13 at the first printing position. Similarly, the second plate cylinder 12 rotates in synchronization with the second blanket cylinder 14 in the second printing position.

Further, a traction type plate cylinder rotating mechanism 30, which will be described later, is disposed near the image recording position, and both the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 are moved to the image recording position. In this state, the plate cylinder rotating mechanism 30
Driven to rotate.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the above-described first and second plate cylinder moving mechanisms 31 and 32, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the bearing portion 33 in the first plate cylinder moving mechanism 31. . Since the first and second plate cylinder moving mechanisms 31 and 32 have the same configuration that is symmetrical to each other, the same members are common to the first and second plate cylinder moving mechanisms 31 and 32. The symbol is attached.

The first and second plate cylinder moving mechanisms 31, 32 are
In order to move the bearing portion 33 including the pair of bearings 34 that pivotally support the support shafts 36 of the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12, the side plate 37 has a slot 38 (see FIG. In FIG. 2, only the slot 38 is shown, and the side plate 37 is omitted in the drawing). The bearing portion 33 is connected to a slide holder 41 that can move along the guide member 39. Further, a nut 42 is arranged on the slide holder 41. The nut 42 is screwed with a ball screw 44 connected to the drive shaft of the motor 35.

Therefore, the first plate cylinder 11 has the motor 35.
Driven by, it can be moved together with the slide holder 41. The first plate cylinder 11 has a guide member 39.
And along the ball screw 44, in solid line in FIG.
In addition, in FIG. 2, a first printing position indicated by a chain double-dashed line,
It moves between the image recording position indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1 and the solid line in FIG. Similarly, the second plate cylinder 12 drives the motor 35 to drive the slide holder 41.
It is possible to move with it. And the second plate cylinder 1
2 along the guide member 39 and the ball screw 44,
A second printing position indicated by a solid line in FIGS. 1 and 2,
It moves between the image recording position indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1 and the solid line in FIG.

A fixing member 43 for fixing the bearing portion 33 is arranged near the first and second printing positions on the side plate 37. The first plate cylinder 11 is positioned and fixed at the first printing position by the fixing member 43, and the second plate cylinder 12 is positioned and fixed at the second printing position by the fixing member 43.

The first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 are respectively provided with
First and second by the first and second plate cylinder moving mechanisms 31, 32
When moving the plate cylinders 11 and 12 of the first and second plate cylinders 1,
A rotation prevention mechanism, which will be described later, for preventing the rotation of the first and the second rotations 12 is provided.

The reason why the rotation prevention mechanism is used to prevent the rotation of the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 is as follows. That is, when the rotational positional relationship between the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 and the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 and other members is deviated, the printing misalignment and the inter-part displacement are performed. This positional relationship needs to be always constant, because the problem of collision of 2) occurs. At this time, when an image is recorded on the printing plates held by the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 at the image recording position by the image recording device 25 described later, the first and second plates are printed. The rotational angle positions of the barrels 11 and 12 are monitored by a photo coupler 87, a rotary encoder, etc., which will be described later. However, when moving from the image recording position to the first and second printing positions, the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 are rotated, and the first and second plate cylinders 1 and 2 are rotated.
The rotational positional relationship between the first and the second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 and the like may deviate from each other. Therefore, the rotation prevention mechanism is used to make the first and second plate cylinders 1
First and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 when moving 1 and 12
It prevents the rotation of.

This rotation preventing mechanism is provided in the first and second plate cylinders 1
A disk-shaped rotary plate 46, which is connected to the support shafts 1 and 12 and has a cutout portion in a part of its outer periphery, and the rotation of the rotary plate 46 is restricted by engaging with the cutout portion of the rotary plate 46. The anti-rotation member 47 and a release member respectively disposed near the first and second printing positions for releasing the engagement of the anti-rotation member 47 with the cutout portion of the rotary plate 46 at the first and second printing positions. 48 and a releasing member 49 disposed near the image recording position for releasing the engagement of the rotation preventing member 47 with the cutout portion of the rotary plate 46 at the image recording position.

FIG. 4 shows a rotation preventing member 47 arranged on the first plate cylinder 11 and a releasing member 4 arranged on the first printing position.
8 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship with FIG. This rotation prevention member 47
Is a lever 54 swingable around a shaft 53 arranged in the bearing portion 33, an engagement pin 55 provided upright on the front surface side of the lever 54, and a rear surface of the engagement pin 55 with respect to the lever 54. Side guide pin 56 and the guide pin 5 with respect to the shaft 53
6 is provided with a pressing pin 57 disposed on the opposite side, and a spring 58 for rocking the lever 54 to urge the engaging pin 55 toward the rotating plate 46. On the other hand, the release member 48 is
It is composed of a cam member having an inclined surface 59 for guiding the guide pin 56.

A rotation preventing member 47 similar to the above is also arranged on the second plate cylinder 12, and a releasing member 48 similar to the above is also arranged at the second printing position.

On the other hand, FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the relationship between the rotation preventing member 47 and the releasing member 49 arranged at the image recording position when the first plate cylinder 11 is moved to the image recording position. The releasing member 49 is used as the pressing pin 5 of the rotation preventing member 47 in the first plate cylinder 11 that has moved to the image recording position.
A pressing plate 62 for reciprocally moving by an air cylinder 61 for pressing the 7 downward is provided.

When the second plate cylinder 12 is moved to the image recording position, the pressing pin 57 of the rotation preventing member 47 arranged on the second plate cylinder 12 is moved by the pressing plate 62 of the releasing member 49. Pressed.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the vicinity of the plate cylinder rotating mechanism 30 described above, and FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing the main part thereof.
The plate cylinder rotating mechanism 30 is provided with the first,
For rotating the second plate cylinders 11 and 12,
The first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 are arranged on the opposite side of the rotation preventing mechanism described above. Note that, in FIG. 9, the transmission rotor 78, its moving mechanism and the like are omitted.

The plate cylinder rotating mechanism 30 is connected to the drive roller 76 which is rotated by the drive of the motor 75 and the support shaft 36 of the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12 so that the first plate is rotated. First and second driven rollers 77 arranged concentrically with the cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12, and from the drive roller 76 concentric with the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12. And a transmission roller 78 for transmitting drive to one of the first and second driven rollers 77 (hereinafter, simply referred to as "driven roller 77").

The lower end portion of the drive roller 76 has an oil pan 7
It is immersed in the oil stored in No. 9. Further, the driven roller 77 is concentric with the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12 via the support shaft 36 of the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12 as described above. It is arranged and rotates in synchronization with the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12. Further, the transmission roller 78 is rotatably supported by a cylinder rod tip end portion of an air cylinder 80 whose base end portion is swingably connected to a support member 91 via a shaft 92, and the air cylinder 80 is driven. With this, it is possible to move between a drive transmission position in which both the drive roller 76 and the driven roller 77 are in pressure contact with each other and a retracted position in which the drive roller 76 and the driven roller 77 are separated from the surface.

Therefore, by rotating the drive roller 76 at a constant speed by driving the motor 75 while moving the drive roller 78 to the drive transmission position, the rotation of the drive roller 76 is transmitted through the drive roller 78. Driven roller 7
7 and the first plate cylinder 11 rotates at a constant speed.
At this time, the driving force of the motor 75 is equal to the driving roller 76.
Since it is transmitted to the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12 by the traction-type drive transmission mechanism that uses the frictional force between the driven roller 77 and the transmission roller 78, the first plate cylinder 11 Alternatively, the second plate cylinder 12 can be accurately rotated without causing uneven rotation.

At this time, in particular, in the above-described embodiment, the transmission roller 78 is movable between the drive transmission position and the retracted position in which both the drive roller 76 and the driven roller 77 are in pressure contact with each other. After the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 have moved to the image recording position, the transmission roller 7
By bringing 8 into pressure contact with both the drive roller 76 and the driven roller 77, slippage does not occur between the transmission roller 78, the drive roller 76, and the driven roller 77.
The second plate cylinders 11 and 12 can be rotated accurately.

Therefore, as in the printing apparatus according to this embodiment, with the movement between the image recording positions of the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 and the first and second printing positions, Even if the driven roller 77 has a configuration in which the driven roller 77 moves in different directions, the transmission roller 78 is moved to the drive roller 76 and the driven roller 77 after the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 have moved to the image recording positions. By moving the drive roller 78 to the drive transmission position in which the transmission roller 78 and the driven roller 77 are moved to the image recording position, the transmission roller 78 can be surely pressed to the driven roller 77 moved to the image recording position. Also, the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 can be accurately rotated without causing slippage between the driven rollers 77.

The driven roller 77 has four positioning members 8 composed of V blocks for positioning and fixing the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 at predetermined angular positions.
1a, 81b, 81c, 81d are arranged. The positioning members 81a, 81b, 81c, and 81d engage the driven roller 77 by engaging with a locking pin 85 provided at the tip of a lever 84 that swings around a shaft 83 when the air cylinder 82 is driven. Through the first and second plate cylinder 1
It is used to position and fix 1 and 12 at a predetermined rotational angle position.

Further, the driven roller 77 is provided with a detection plate 86 which is used to detect the rotational angle position of the driven roller 77, and the side plate 37 detects the detection plate 86. A photo coupler 87 is provided for this purpose. The rotational angle position of the driven roller 77, that is, the rotational angle positions of the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 are the detection signal of the detection plate 86 by the photocoupler 87, the first,
The first and second plates are connected to the support shaft 36 of the second plate cylinders 11 and 12.
It is monitored by a rotary encoder (not shown) that generates a pulse signal as the plate cylinders 11 and 12 rotate.

Further, a light shield plate 88 is attached to the support shaft 36 of the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12.

Next, the first by the rotation prevention mechanism described above,
Anti-rotation operation for the second plate cylinders 11 and 12, and
The rotational driving operation of the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 by the above-described traction type plate cylinder rotating mechanism 30 will be described. In the following description, the rotation prevention operation and the rotation driving operation for the first plate cylinder 11 will be described, but the rotation prevention operation and the rotation driving operation for the second plate cylinder 12 are also executed in the same process.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first plate cylinder 11 is
In the printing position of the first plate cylinder 11
The gear 51 arranged concentrically with and the gear 52 arranged concentrically with the first blanket cylinder 13 mesh with each other.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 5, if the first plate cylinder moving mechanism 31 starts moving the first plate cylinder 11 from the first printing position to the image recording position, the first plate cylinder is moved. The meshing between the gear 51 arranged concentrically with the cylinder 11 and the gear 52 arranged concentrically with the first blanket cylinder 13 is gradually released. Further, along with this, the rotation preventing member 4
The guide pin 56 of No. 7 slides along the inclined surface 59 of the release member 48, and the lever 54 swings around the shaft 53, whereby the engagement pin 55 starts moving into the cutout portion of the rotary plate 46. .

At this time, the gear 51 arranged concentrically with the first plate cylinder 11 and the gear 52 arranged concentrically with the first blanket cylinder 13 are not completely meshed with each other. Not released, and the first plate cylinder 1 by the rotation preventing member 47
Since the rotation of No. 1 has not been prevented yet, the first plate cylinder 11 moves toward the image recording position while rotating counterclockwise in the state shown in FIG. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the gears 51 and 52 from colliding and being damaged.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the first plate cylinder 1
1 further moves toward the image recording position, and the first plate cylinder 1
In a state where the gear 51 arranged coaxially with the gear 1 and the gear 52 arranged coaxially with the first blanket cylinder 13 are disengaged, the guide pin 56 of the rotation preventing member 47 is provided.
Completely disengages from the inclined surface 59 of the release member 48, and the engagement pin 55 is completely housed in the cutout portion of the rotary plate 46. Therefore, the rotation of the first plate cylinder 11 is prevented.

In this state, the first plate cylinder 11 is driven by the first plate cylinder moving mechanism 31 to move to the image recording position as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the transmission roller 78 of the plate cylinder rotating mechanism 30 is driven by the air cylinder 80 to drive the driving roller 76 and the driven roller 77.
And a drive transmission position where they are pressed against each other. Then, the pressing plate 62 of the release mechanism 49 is moved from the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 7 to the position shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 7 by driving the air cylinder 61. This allows
The pressing pin 57 of the rotation preventing member 47 moves downward and the lever 54 swings around the shaft 53, whereby the engagement pin 55 is disengaged from the cutout portion of the rotary plate 46.
Along with this, the first plate cylinder 11 becomes rotatable.

In this state, the first plate cylinder 11 is rotated at a low speed by the traction type plate cylinder rotating mechanism 30 to mount the printing plate on the first plate cylinder 11, and then the image recording device 25 is used to Record the image on the printing plate. Then, after the recording of the image on the printing plate is completed, the printing plate is developed by the developing device 26. When the recording of the image on the printing plate and the developing process are completed, the first plate cylinder 11 is returned to the origin position by using the detection values of the detection plate 86, the photocoupler 87, and the like. Then, the transmission roller 78 of the plate cylinder rotating mechanism 30 is moved to the retracted position by driving the air cylinder 80, and the air cylinder 82 shown in FIG. 8 is driven to engage the positioning member 81a and the engagement pin 85. Thus, the first plate cylinder 11 is positioned and fixed at the predetermined rotation angle position via the driven roller 77.

Then, the pressing plate 6 in the release mechanism 49 is released.
2 is moved from the position shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 7 to the position shown by the solid line by driving the air cylinder 61. As a result, the pressing pin 57 of the rotation preventing member 47 moves upward and the lever 54 swings around the shaft 53, so that the engagement pin 55 of the rotation preventing member 47 becomes a cutout portion of the rotating plate 46. Engage. Accordingly, the rotation of the first plate cylinder 11 is prevented. Then, the air cylinder 82 is driven to move the positioning member 81a and the engagement pin 85.
Disengage from.

Then, by driving the first plate cylinder moving mechanism 31, the first plate cylinder 11 is moved from the image recording position to the first printing position. With the movement of the first plate cylinder 11, the rotation prevention member 47 is operated by the operation opposite to the movement of the first plate cylinder 11 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 from the first printing position to the image recording position. The engagement between the engagement pin 55 and the notch in the rotary plate 46 is released.

That is, as the first plate cylinder 11 moves from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG.
The guide pin 56 of 7 slides along the inclined surface 59 of the release member 48, and the lever 54 swings around the shaft 53, so that the engagement pin 55 moves outward from the inside of the cutout portion of the rotary plate 46. To do. At the same time, the first plate cylinder 11
The meshing operation of the gear 51 arranged concentrically with the gear 52 arranged concentrically with the first blanket cylinder 13 is started.

At this time, the meshing operation of the gear 51 arranged concentrically with the first plate cylinder 11 and the gear 52 arranged concentrically with the first blanket cylinder 13 is started. Accompanying
The rotation prevention of the first plate cylinder 11 by the rotation prevention member 47 is released, and the first plate cylinder 11 moves toward the first printing position while rotating clockwise in the state shown in FIG. To do. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the gears 51 and 52 from colliding and being damaged.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the first plate cylinder 1
When 1 returns to the first printing position, the gear 51 arranged concentrically with the first plate cylinder 11 and the first blanket cylinder 1
The gear 52 arranged concentrically with the gear No. 3 meshes perfectly.

Referring again to FIG. 1, around the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12 moved to the image recording position,
A plate supply unit 23 and a plate discharge unit 24 are arranged.

In the plate supply section 23, there are provided a supply cassette 63 for accommodating a long roll printing plate on which an image is not recorded in a light-tight state, and a leading end portion of the printing plate pulled out from the supply cassette 63. A guide member 64 and a guide roller 65 for guiding to the surface of the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12, and a cutter 66 for cutting a long printing plate into a sheet-shaped printing plate. It is arranged. Further, the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 are provided with a pair of gripper jaws (not shown) for gripping the front end portion and the rear end portion of the printing plate supplied from the plate supply unit 23. .

After the printing is completed, the plate discharge section 24 is provided for the first plate cylinder 1
It has a claw mechanism 73 for peeling the printing plate held on the first or second plate cylinder 12, and a conveyor mechanism 69 for conveying the printing plate peeled by the action of the claw mechanism 73 to the discharge cassette 68. .

The leading end portion of the printing plate pulled out from the supply cassette 63 in the plate supply section 23 is guided by the guide roller 65 and the guide member 64, and the gripper claw of one of the first plate cylinder 11 and the second plate cylinder 12 is held. Can be added Then, the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12 is rotated by the drive of the plate cylinder rotating mechanism 30, and the printing plate is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12. Then, the trailing edge of the printing plate cut by the cutter 66 is gripped by the other gripper. In this state, as described above, while driving the plate cylinder rotating mechanism 30, the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12 is rotated at a low speed,
The image recording device 25 irradiates the surface of the printing plate held on the outer periphery of the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12 with a modulated laser beam to record an image.

The printing plate P mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the first plate cylinder 11 is set by the image recording device 25 as shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), an image area 67a for printing with black ink and an image area 67b for printing with magenta ink are recorded. On the printing plate P mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the second plate cylinder 12, an image area 67c for printing with cyan ink is provided by the image recording device 25, as shown in FIG. , Image area 67d for printing with yellow ink is recorded. The image area 67a and the image area 67b are evenly distributed (that is, 180 degrees apart from each other) when mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the first plate cylinder 11.
Is recorded at the position. Similarly, the image area 67c and the image area 67d are recorded at positions where they are evenly distributed (that is, 180 degrees apart from each other) when mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the second plate cylinder 12. It

In the above-described embodiment, in order to simplify the structure of the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12, the outer periphery of the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12 Each of the two printing areas P on one printing plate P
a, 67b or 67c, 67d are provided. However, the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12 is provided with two sets of gripping claws for holding the leading end portion and two holding claws for holding the rear end portion, respectively. It is also possible to have a configuration in which each of the cylinders 12 holds two printing plates P. Also in this case, the two printing plates P are evenly distributed so that the image areas of the respective printing plates P are evenly distributed (that is, 180 degrees apart from each other). It must be held on the plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12.

Referring again to FIG. 1, as described above, the ink supply device 20a and the ink supply device 20b are provided around the first plate cylinder 11 that has moved to the first printing position. An ink supply device 20c and an ink supply device 20d are arranged around the second plate cylinder 12 that has moved to the second printing position. These ink supply devices 20a, 20
Each of b, 20c, and 20d (collectively referred to as "ink supply device 20") has a plurality of ink rollers 71 and ink fountains 72.

The ink rollers 71 of the ink supply devices 20a and 20b swing by the action of a cam or the like (not shown). By this swinging operation, the two image areas 6 formed on the printing plate P held on the outer peripheral portion of the first plate cylinder 11 are formed.
By contacting the ink roller 71 of the ink supply device 20a or 20b with any image area of 7a and 67b, the ink can be supplied only to the necessary image area. In addition, similarly, the ink supply device 20
The ink rollers 71 of c and 20d also swing by the action of a cam or the like (not shown). And by this swinging motion,
The ink roller 71 of the ink supply device 20c or 20d comes into contact with an arbitrary image area of the two image areas 67c and 67d formed on the printing plate P held on the outer peripheral portion of the second plate cylinder 12. Thus, the ink can be supplied only to the necessary image area.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the dampening water supply device 21.
a, 21b, 21c and 21d (these are collectively referred to as "fountain solution supply device 21"), before the ink is supplied to the printing plate P by the ink supply device 20,
The dampening water is supplied to the printing plate P. Of these dampening water devices 21, the dampening water supply device 21a is in the image region 67a of the printing plate P, the dampening water supply device 21b is in the image region 67b of the printing plate P, and the dampening water supply device 21c.
To the image area 67c on the printing plate P, and the dampening water supply device 21d to the image area 67d on the printing plate P, respectively.

These dampening water supply devices 21a, 21b,
Of 21c and 21d, a dampening water supply device 21c for supplying dampening water to the image area 67c of the printing plate P.
Is movable between a position in the moving path of the second plate cylinder 12 by the second plate cylinder moving mechanism 32 shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 and a position separated from the moving path shown by the phantom line in FIG. Is configured.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of the dampening water supply device 21c, and FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the main part thereof.
In FIG. 12, a water source roller 243, which will be described later,
The watering roller 244, the intermediate roller 245, and the like are not shown.

This dampening water supply device 21c is a water boat 242 for storing dampening water, and water for drawing out dampening water from the water boat 242 by being immersed in the dampening water stored in the water boat 242. A source roller 243, a watering roller 244 that applies dampening water to the image area 67c by contacting the printing plate P mounted on the second plate cylinder 12, and a water source roller 243.
And an intermediate roller 245 that transfers dampening water from the water source roller 243 to the watering roller 244 by contacting the watering roller 244.

The water boat 242 is supported by a support member 411 composed of a lever 403 and a stay 410.
The support member 411 is rotatably supported by a shaft 402 at the tip of a bracket 404 fixed to a pair of left and right side plates 315. The water source roller 243, the watering roller 244, and the intermediate roller 245 are pivotally supported by the side plate 315.

On the other hand, the pair of left and right side plates 315 is configured to be rotatable about the shaft 406 by driving a pair of air cylinders 405. Therefore, the dampening water supply device 21c operates as shown in FIG.
The second plate cylinder moving mechanism 32 shown by the solid line in FIG.
The plate cylinder 12 moves between a position on the moving path and a position separated from the moving path indicated by a virtual line in FIG.

The support member 411 that supports the watercraft 242 and the side plate 37 of the printer body are connected by a link member 407. One end of the link member 407 is rotatable around a shaft 408 arranged on the side plate 37 of the printing apparatus main body, and the other end of the link member 407 is connected to the water boat 24.
It is rotatable about a shaft 409 disposed at the upper end of the lever 403 of the support member 411 that supports the second member.

The distance between the shaft center of the shaft 406 and the shaft center of the shaft 402 is equal to the distance between the shaft center of the shaft 408 and the shaft center of the shaft 409, and the shaft center of the shaft 406 and the shaft 408. The shape and the like of the link member 407 are determined so that the distance from the axis of the shaft 402 is equal to the distance from the axis of the shaft 402 to the axis of the shaft 409.

When the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 are arranged at the above-described first and second printing positions for printing, the dampening water supply device 21c is shown by the solid line in FIGS. As shown by, it is arranged at a position facing the second plate cylinder 12. In this state, the dampening water supply device 21c
Will be arranged in the movement path of the second plate cylinder 12.

On the other hand, when the second plate cylinder moving mechanism 32 moves the second plate cylinder 12 from the second printing position to the plate making position, or when moving the plate cylinder from the plate making position to the second printing position. Because the second plate cylinder 12 interferes with the dampening water supply device 21c arranged in the movement path thereof, the dampening water supply device 21c is moved from the position shown by the solid line in FIG. It is necessary to move it to a position away from the route. The movement of the dampening water supply device 21c is performed by the air cylinder 405.
This is performed by rotating the whole body together with the side plate 315 around the shaft 406.

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view showing a state where the dampening water supply device 21c is moved by driving the air cylinder 405. As shown in this figure, the dampening water supply device 21c
The water boat 242 maintains the horizontal state even though the entire body rotates about the shaft 406. This is for the following reasons.

That is, as described above, the distance between the shaft core of the shaft 406 and the shaft core of the shaft 402 is the distance between the shaft core of the shaft 408 and the shaft 40.
9 and the distance between the axis of the shaft 406 and the axis of the shaft 408 is equal to the distance between the axis of the shaft 402 and the axis of the shaft 409.
Of the link member 407 so that the distance from the axis of
The shape of is determined. Therefore, the line segment connecting the axis of the axis 406, the axis of the axis 402, the axis of the axis 409, and the axis of the axis 408 forms a parallelogram. Therefore, the shaft 406
By arranging the shaft center of the shaft 408 and the shaft center of the shaft 408 on a vertical line, the shaft 4 can be rotated regardless of the position of the link member 407.
The shaft center of 02 and the shaft center of the shaft 409 are always arranged on the vertical line.

Therefore, by driving the air cylinder 405, the entire dampening water supply device 21c together with the side plate 315 and the shaft 406 are driven.
When the dampening water supply device 21c is rotated about its center, the link mechanism 407 rotates the support member 411 that supports the dampening water supply device 21c in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the dampening water supply device 21c. The rotation of the dampening water supply device 21c is prevented. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the dampening water stored in the dampening water supply device 21c from flowing out.

Referring again to FIG. 1, below the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder 12 that has moved to the image recording position,
The development processing device 26 described above is provided. The development processing device 26 has a development section, a fixing section, and a diaphragm section,
In FIG. 1, it is configured such that it can be moved up and down between a standby position indicated by a two-dot chain line and a development processing position indicated by a solid line.

In the case of developing the printing plate P on which an image is recorded by the image recording device 25 by the developing processing device 26, the plate cylinder rotating mechanism 30 is driven to drive the first plate cylinder 11 or the second plate cylinder. The developing unit, the fixing unit, and the diaphragm unit are brought into contact with the printing plate P that rotates together with it.

The first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 provided so as to be able to contact the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 are
It has the same diameter as the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12, and a blanket for ink transfer is mounted on the outer peripheral portion thereof. Then, the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 1
The reference numeral 4 is configured so that it can be brought into and out of contact with the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 and the impression cylinder 15 by a cylinder inserting mechanism described later.

FIG. 14 shows the first blanket cylinder 13 described above.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the body insertion mechanism of FIG. The cylinder inserting mechanism of the second blanket cylinder 14 has the same structure as the cylinder inserting mechanism of the first plate cylinder 13 shown in FIG.

An eccentric shaft 102 having a center different from that of the shaft 101 is connected to the side of the shaft 101 that rotatably supports the first blanket cylinder 13. Further, around the eccentric shaft 102, an eccentric bearing 103 whose center is different from that of the shafts 101 and 102 is arranged. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the center of the shaft 101 (that is, the center of the first blanket cylinder 13) 104, the center 105 of the eccentric shaft 102,
The centers 106 of the eccentric bearings 103 are arranged at different positions.

The fixed plate 107 fixed to the eccentric shaft 102 and the fixed plate 108 fixed to the eccentric bearing 103 are connected by two connecting plates 111 and 112 constituting a link mechanism. The cylinder rod 114 of the air cylinder 113 is connected to the connecting portion of the two connecting plates 111 and 112.
The tip is connected. The main body of the air cylinder 113 is connected to one end of a rotating plate 116 that rotates about a shaft 115. Further, the other end of the rotating plate 116 is
It is connected to a fixed plate 118 fixed to the eccentric bearing 103 via a rod 117.

The rotating plate 116 and the shaft 120 of the eccentric member 119 are connected to each other by the two connecting plates 12 constituting the link mechanism.
1, 122 are connected. The tip end of the cylinder rod 124 of the air cylinder 123 fixed to the main body of the apparatus is connected to the connecting portion of the two connecting plates 121 and 122. Further, the worm wheel 125 connected to the eccentric member 119 is screwed with the worm gear 127 which is rotated by the drive of the motor 126.

In such a construction, when the cylinder rods 114 and 124 of the air cylinders 113 and 123 are extended, as shown in FIG. 14, the surface of the first blanket cylinder 13 and the first plate cylinder 11 are formed. And impression cylinder 1
It is separated from the surface of No. 5 by a small distance.

In this state, when the cylinder rod 114 is contracted by driving the air cylinder 113, the first blanket cylinder 13 moves to the first blanket cylinder 13 by the action of the link mechanism by the two connecting plates 111 and 112. It moves in the direction of the plate cylinder 11 and is inserted into the first plate cylinder 11.

In this state, when the cylinder rod 124 is contracted by driving the air cylinder 123, the action of the link mechanism constituted by the two connecting plates 121, 122 and the like causes the first blanket cylinder 13 to move. It moves in the direction of the impression cylinder 15 and is put into the impression cylinder 15.
At this time, the rotating plate 116 also rotates clockwise about the shaft 115, so that the first blanket cylinder 13 is
It moves not only in five directions but also in the direction of the first plate cylinder 11. Therefore, the first plate cylinder 1 in the first blanket cylinder 13
The state of being put in 1 is maintained.

When the eccentric member 119 is rotated, the shaft 120 of the eccentric member 119 slightly moves. For this reason,
The contact pressure between the impression cylinder 15 and the first plate cylinder 11 and the first blanket cylinder 13 is adjusted by rotating the worm wheel 125 connected to the eccentric member 119 by driving the motor 126 and finely moving the shaft 120. can do.
Therefore, it is possible to adjust the printing pressure when printing using the first blanket cylinder 13.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the blanket cleaning device 29 disposed between the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 is changed from the unwinding roll to the winding roll via a plurality of pressure contact rollers. The cleaning liquid is supplied to a long cleaning cloth stuck on the route, and the cleaning cloth is brought into contact with the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 and then slid to move the first cleaning cloth. The surfaces of the second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 are cleaned. In addition, the above cleaning cloth is applied to the impression cylinder 1
The surface of the impression cylinder 15 may also be cleaned by bringing it into contact with the surface of 5.

The impression cylinder 15 provided so as to be in contact with the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 is the first and second plate cylinders 1.
1, 12 and first and second blanket cylinders 13, 14
It has a diameter of 1/2 of the diameter of. Further, the impression cylinder 15 has a gripper (not shown) for holding and conveying the leading edge of the printing paper.

The paper feed cylinder 16 disposed adjacent to the impression cylinder 15 has the same diameter as the impression cylinder 15. The paper feed cylinder 16 holds the leading edge of the printing paper, which is fed one by one from the paper feed unit 27 by the reciprocating suction plate 74, by a gripper (not shown) and conveys it. The leading edge of the printing paper held by the gripper is held by the gripper of the impression cylinder 15 when the printing paper is transferred from the paper feed cylinder 16 to the impression cylinder 15.

The discharge cylinder 17 arranged adjacent to the impression cylinder 15 has the same diameter as the impression cylinder 15. The discharge cylinder 17 has a structure in which a pair of chains 19 are wound around both ends thereof, and grippers are arranged on connecting members (not shown) that connect the pair of chains 19. The leading edge of the printing paper held by the gripper of the impression cylinder 15 is
When transferring the printing paper from the impression cylinder 15 to the discharge cylinder 17,
It is held by one of the grippers of the paper discharge cylinder 17. Then, this printing paper is conveyed and discharged onto the paper discharge unit 28 as the chain 19 moves.

The paper feed cylinder 16 is connected to a drive motor via a belt (not shown). And the paper feed cylinder 1
6, the impression cylinder 15, the discharge cylinder 17, and the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 are connected by gears attached to their ends. Further, the first blanket cylinder 13 and the first plate cylinder 11 moved to the first printing position, and the second blanket cylinder 14 and the second plate cylinder 12 moved to the second printing position, As described above, the gears 51 and 52 attached to the ends are connected to each other. Therefore, by driving a drive motor (not shown), the paper feed cylinder 16, the impression cylinder 15, the discharge cylinder 17, the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14, and the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 are , Rotate in synchronization with each other.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the main electrical construction of this printing apparatus. This printing device has a ROM 141 in which an operation program necessary for controlling the device is stored.
And RAM1 in which data etc. are temporarily stored during control
42, and a control unit 140 including a CPU 143 that executes a logical operation. The control unit 140 includes an ink supply device 20, an image recording device 25, a development processing device 26, and a blanket cleaning device 2 via an interface 144.
9, first and second plate cylinder moving mechanisms 31, 32, first and second
The blanket cylinders 13 and 14 are connected to a drive circuit 145 that generates drive signals for a drive unit and the like in the cylinder insertion mechanism. The printing apparatus is controlled by the control unit 140 and executes a plate making operation and a printing operation described later.

Next, plate making and printing operations by this printing apparatus will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an outline of plate making and printing operations by this printing apparatus. The printing and plate-making operations are performed when multicolor printing is performed on the printing paper with four color inks of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

First, a plate making process is carried out in which an image is recorded on the printing plate P on the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 and a developing process is performed (step S1). This plate making process is executed according to the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17 as a subroutine.

That is, first, the first plate cylinder 11 is shown in FIG.
In step S11, the plate is moved to the plate making position indicated by the chain double-dashed line. The movement of the first plate cylinder 11 is executed by driving the motor 35 of the first plate cylinder moving mechanism 31 shown in FIG. 2 to move the slide holder 41 along the guide member 39.

Next, the printing plate P is supplied to the outer periphery of the first plate cylinder 11 (step S12). The supply of this printing plate P is
This is performed by gripping the leading edge of the printing plate P pulled out from the supply cassette 63 and the trailing edge of the printing plate P cut by the cutter 66 with a pair of grippers (not shown).

Then, an image is recorded on the printing plate P held on the outer periphery of the first plate cylinder 11 (step S13). This image is recorded by the plate cylinder rotating mechanism 30 of the first plate cylinder 11
Is rotated at a low speed, and the modulated laser beam is applied from the image recording device 25 to the printing plate P held on the outer periphery of the first plate cylinder 11.

Next, the printing plate P on which the image is recorded is developed (step S14). In this developing process, after the developing device 26 is raised from the standby position shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1 to the developing position shown by the solid line, it is rotated together with the first plate cylinder 11 by driving the plate cylinder rotating mechanism 30. The printing plate P is executed by sequentially contacting the developing unit, the fixing unit, and the diaphragm unit.

When the developing process is completed, the first plate cylinder 1
1 is moved to the first printing position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1 (step S15).

Subsequently, the plate making process for the printing plate P held on the outer periphery of the second plate cylinder 12 is executed by the same operation as that in steps S11 to 15 (steps S16 to 2).
0). When the plate making on the printing plate P held on the outer peripheries of the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 is completed, the plate making process is ended.

Referring to FIG. 16 again, when the plate making process is completed, a printing process for printing on the printing paper using the printing plates P on the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 is executed (step S2). The operation of the printing apparatus in this printing process will be described later in detail.

When the printing process is completed, the printing plate P used for printing is discharged (step S3). In order to discharge the printing plate P, first, the first plate cylinder 11 is moved to the plate making position shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. Then, the first plate cylinder 11 is rotated counterclockwise by the plate cylinder rotating mechanism 30, and the end portion of the printing plate P held on the first plate cylinder 11 is peeled off by the claw mechanism 73. The printing plate P is guided by the conveyor mechanism 69, and the discharge cassette 6
Discharge into 8 Then, after the first plate cylinder 11 is returned to the first printing position, the second plate cylinder 12 is moved from the second printing position to the plate making position, and the same operation as described above is executed, The printing plate P held on the second plate cylinder 12 is discharged into the discharge cassette 68.

When the process of discharging the printing plate P is completed, the first,
The second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 are washed (step S4). At the time of cleaning the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14, the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 are moved to the first and second plate cylinders 1 by the cylinder insertion mechanism shown in FIG.
After separating from 1, 12 and impression cylinder 15, first, second
The blanket cylinders 13 and 14 are rotated. In this state, the cleaning cloth supplied with the cleaning liquid in the blanket cleaning device 29 is used as the first and second blankets 13, 14
By contacting the surface of the
The second blanket cylinders 13, 14 are washed.

When the cleaning of the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 is completed, it is confirmed whether or not another printing work is to be performed (step S5). When performing another printing operation, the operations of steps 1 to 4 are repeated.

When the printing operation is completed, the ink is washed (step S6). The cleaning of the ink is executed by removing and cleaning the ink adhering to the ink roller 71 and the ink fountain 72 in each ink supply device 20 by an ink cleaning device (not shown) provided in each ink supply device 20. .

When the ink washing step is completed, all steps are completed.

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus in the above printing process will be described. 18 to 23 are explanatory views showing the printing operation of this printing apparatus. In these drawings, for convenience of explanation, the length of the printing paper S and the impression cylinder 1
5, the perimeters of the paper feed cylinder 16 and the paper ejection cylinder 17 are expressed as the same, but in reality, the length of the printing paper S is the impression cylinder 15, the paper feed cylinder 16 and the paper ejection cylinder. It is shorter than the circumference of 17.

The printing operation described below is for performing multicolor printing on the printing paper with four color inks of yellow, magenta, cyan and black, as described above. In addition, in FIGS. 18 to 23, for convenience of description, a reference numeral K is given to a region of the first plate cylinder 11 and the first blanket cylinder 13 on the side used for printing black ink.
Of the first plate cylinder 11 and the first blanket cylinder 13 on the side to be used for printing magenta ink, and the second plate cylinder 12 and the second plate cylinder 12. The area C of the blanket cylinder 14 on the side used for printing cyan ink is marked with C, and the area of the second plate cylinder 12 and the second blanket cylinder 14 on the side used for printing yellow ink. The reference numeral Y is attached to the region.

In the plate making process prior to the printing process, as described above, the printing plate P mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the first plate cylinder 11 has a black ink as shown in FIG. 10 (a). An image area 67a for printing with and an image area 67b for printing with magenta ink are recorded, and the printing plate P mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the second plate cylinder 12 has As shown in FIG. 10B, it is assumed that an image area 67c for printing with cyan ink and an image area 67d for printing with yellow ink are recorded.

As described above, the ink supply device 2
0a is supplied with black ink, the ink supply device 20b is supplied with magenta ink, the ink supply device 20c is supplied with cyan ink, and the ink supply device 20d is supplied with yellow ink. In the image area 67a of the printing plate P, black ink is supplied from the ink supply device 20a, in the image area 67b, magenta ink is supplied from the ink supply device 20b, and in the image area 67c, cyan ink is supplied from the ink supply device 20c. , Image area 67
The yellow ink from the ink supply device 20d,
Be prepared to be supplied respectively.

First, each dampening water supply device 21 and each ink supply device 20 are brought into contact with only the corresponding image areas of the printing plates P held on the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12. . As a result, each of the image areas 67a, 67b, 67
The corresponding dampening water supply devices 21a and 21c
While dampening water is supplied from b, 21c and 21d,
From the ink supply device 20a to the image area 67a, from the ink supply device 20b to the image area 67b, the image area 67
c to the ink supply device 20c, and the image area 67d to the ink supply device 20d from black, magenta,
Cyan and yellow inks are supplied. Then, this ink is transferred to the corresponding regions of the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14.

By repeating this operation, ink is supplied to the printing plate P on the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 and the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14.
This ink supply operation is repeatedly executed until the printing process is completed.

The printing plate P on the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12
When the supply of ink to the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 is completed, the printing paper S is supplied to the paper feed cylinder 16 as shown in FIG. The printing paper S is passed from the paper feed cylinder 16 to the impression cylinder 15.

Then, the impression cylinder 15 rotates further, and the impression cylinder 1
When the front end of the printing paper S held on the outer periphery of the first sheet 5 moves to a position facing the first blanket cylinder 13, the first blanket cylinder 1 is operated by the action of the cylinder insertion mechanism shown in FIG.
3 is brought into contact with the impression cylinder 15 in a cylinder-inserted state. In this state, as shown in FIG. 19, the leading end of the printing paper S contacts the end of the region on the surface of the first blanket cylinder 13 on the side used for printing black ink.
The black ink is transferred from the image area 67a of the printing plate P held by the first plate cylinder 11 to the area on the surface of the first blanket cylinder 13 used for printing the black ink. There is. Therefore, the first
By further rotating the blanket cylinder 13 and the impression cylinder 15, the black ink is transferred onto the printing paper S.

If the impression cylinder 15 further rotates and the leading edge of the printing paper S held on the outer periphery of the impression cylinder 15 moves to a position facing the second blanket cylinder 14, the function of the cylinder inserting mechanism shown in FIG. As a result, the second blanket cylinder 14 is brought into a cylinder insertion state in which the second blanket cylinder 14 contacts the impression cylinder 15. In this state, as shown in FIG.
The blanket cylinder 14 is brought into contact with the end of the area on the surface used for printing cyan ink. Then, the cyan ink is transferred from the image area 67c of the printing plate P held by the second plate cylinder 12 to the area of the surface of the second blanket cylinder 14 used for printing the cyan ink. There is. Therefore, by further rotating the second blanket cylinder 14 and the impression cylinder 15, cyan ink is further transferred to the printing paper S on which black ink has already been transferred.

In this state, the impression cylinder 15 is moved to the first and second positions.
Continuing to rotate with the blanket cylinders 13 and 14
As shown in FIG. 21, the printing paper S is completely wound around the outer circumference of the impression cylinder 15. Since the impression cylinder 15 has a diameter that is half that of the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 and the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14, the impression cylinder 15 is wound around the outer circumference of the impression cylinder 15. In the second rotation, the printed printing paper S comes into contact with the area of the surface of the first blanket cylinder 13 on the side used for printing magenta ink.
The magenta ink is transferred from the image area 67b of the printing plate P held by the first plate cylinder 11 to the area of the surface of the first blanket cylinder 13 used for printing the magenta ink. There is. Therefore, the first
By further rotating the blanket cylinder 13 and the impression cylinder 15, the magenta ink is further transferred to the printing paper S on which the black and cyan inks have already been transferred.

When the impression cylinder 15 further rotates, the printing paper S comes into contact with the end of the area of the surface of the second blanket cylinder 14 on the side used for printing the yellow ink. And, in the area on the side used for printing the yellow ink on the surface of the second blanket cylinder 14,
The yellow ink is transferred from the image area 67d on the printing plate P held by the second plate cylinder 12. Therefore, when the second blanket cylinder 14 and the impression cylinder 15 are further rotated, the yellow ink is further transferred to the printing paper S on which the black, cyan, and magenta inks have already been transferred, and the four-color printing is performed. Is completed.

As shown in FIG. 22, the front end of the printing paper S on which the four colors have been printed is transferred from the impression cylinder 15 to the paper ejection cylinder 17. Further, after the printing paper S to be printed next is supplied to the paper feed cylinder 16, it is passed from the paper feed cylinder 16 to the impression cylinder 15.

Then, the printing paper S on which the four colors have been printed
As shown in FIG. 23, by driving the pair of chains 19, the paper is conveyed and discharged onto the paper discharge unit 28 together with the grippers of the paper discharge cylinder 17.

As described above, in this printing apparatus, the impression cylinder 15 has a diameter half that of the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 and the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14. Therefore, the impression cylinder 15 rotates twice while the first and second plate cylinders 11 and 12 and the first and second blanket cylinders 13 and 14 rotate once. The printing paper S held on the outer peripheral portion of the impression cylinder 15 while the impression cylinder 15 rotates twice.
The four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are printed on. Therefore, by supplying new printing paper S from the paper feed cylinder 16 every time the impression cylinder 15 makes two revolutions,
It is possible to continuously perform printing of four colors.

In this printing apparatus, it is also possible to perform monochromatic printing or the like instead of performing the above four-color printing.

For example, in the case of printing with only black ink in this printing machine, the first plate cylinder 11
Image areas 67a and 67b in the printing plate P held in
To form the same image. Then, the ink supply device 20
so that a can supply black ink to both image areas 67a, 67b. In addition, another ink supply device 2
0b, 20c, 20d are the first and second plate cylinders 11, 12
Keep it away from. In this state, the impression cylinder 15
A new printing paper S is supplied from the paper feed cylinder 16 every time it rotates. As a result, each time the impression cylinder 15 makes one rotation, the impression cylinder 15
The image with the black ink is transferred from the image area 67a or 67b on which the same image is formed to the printing paper S held on the outer periphery of the sheet, and monochromatic printing can be performed.

In this case, the second plate cylinder 1
The second and second blanket cylinders 14 are not used. Therefore, the second blanket cylinder 14 may be in the unrolled state by the cylinder insertion mechanism shown in FIG. Further, while printing is performed using the first plate cylinder 11 and the first blanket cylinder 13, the second plate cylinder 12 is moved to the image recording position, and at this position, the second plate cylinder 12 is moved. The plate making process may be executed above.

In the above-described embodiment, among the four dampening water supply devices 21a, 21b, 21c and 21d,
Only the dampening water supply device 21c is connected to the second plate cylinder moving mechanism 32.
The case where the second plate cylinder 12 is configured to be movable between the position on the moving path of the second plate cylinder and the position separated from the moving path has been described.
1d may also be configured to be movable.

By the structure similar to the above, the rotation of the ink fountain storing the ink when the ink supply devices 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d are rotated may be prevented.

[0134]

According to the first to third aspects of the present invention, in a printing apparatus for recording an image on a printing plate to make the plate and then supplying ink to the printing plate for printing, a plate cylinder is used. By moving between the image recording position and the printing position, the image recording device used in the plate making process of the printing plate and the ink supply device used in the printing process are separated from each other so that they do not interfere with each other. Can be placed at.

At this time, the dampening water supply device is moved by the plate cylinder moving mechanism in the moving path of the plate cylinder with the dampening water reservoir of the dampening water supply device being kept horizontal. Equipped with a dampening water supply device moving mechanism that moves it to a position away from the path, it is possible to retract the dampening water supply device from the plate cylinder moving path while preventing the dampening water from flowing out. Becomes

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of first and second plate cylinder moving mechanisms 31 and 32.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of a bearing portion 33 in the first plate cylinder moving mechanism 31.

FIG. 4 is a rotation preventing member 47 arranged on the first plate cylinder 11.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the release member 48 disposed at the first printing position.

FIG. 5 is a rotation preventing member 47 arranged on the first plate cylinder 11.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the release member 48 disposed at the first printing position.

FIG. 6 is a rotation preventing member 47 arranged on the first plate cylinder 11.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the release member 48 disposed at the first printing position.

FIG. 7 is a rotation preventing member 47 arranged on the first plate cylinder 11.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a release member 49 disposed at an image recording position.

FIG. 8 is a front view around the plate cylinder rotating mechanism 30.

9 is a side sectional view showing a main part of FIG.

10 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of image areas 67 on the printing plate P. FIG.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a dampening water supply device 21c.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a main part of a dampening water supply device 21c.

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of a dampening water supply device 21c.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing a cylinder inserting mechanism for the first blanket cylinder 13.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a main electrical configuration of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an outline of plate making and printing operations by the printing apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a plate making process.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printing operation of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printing operation of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printing operation of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printing operation of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printing operation of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printing operation of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a conventional printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 First plate cylinder 12 Second plate cylinder 13 First Blanket Body 14 Second Blanket Body 15 impression cylinder 16 Paper feed cylinder 17 Output cylinder 20 Ink supply device 21 Dampening water supply system 23 Plate Supply Department 24 Plate ejection section 25 Image recording device 26 Development Processing Equipment 27 Paper feeder 28 Paper output section 30 plate cylinder rotation mechanism 31 First plate cylinder moving mechanism 32 Second plate cylinder moving mechanism 242 Mizufune 243 Mizumoto Roller 244 Watering roller 245 Intermediate roller 315 Side plate 402 axis 403 lever 405 air cylinder 406 axis 407 Link member 408 axis 409 axis 410 stay 411 Support member P printing plate S printing paper

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-10-272756 (JP, A) JP-A-2-175250 (JP, A) JP-A-9-141821 (JP, A) JP-A-9-123402 (JP , A) JP-A 9-131855 (JP, A) JP-A 62-225346 (JP, A) JP-A 5-138851 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB) Name) B41F 7/02 B41F 7/40 B41F 13/24

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing apparatus for printing after printing an image on a printing plate, supplying dampening water and ink to the printing plate, and holding the printing plate on the outer periphery thereof. A cylinder, an image recording device for recording an image on the printing plate held by the plate cylinder, an image recording position of the plate cylinder facing the image recording device, and a printing plate held by the plate cylinder A plate cylinder moving mechanism that moves between a printing position for performing, a dampening water storage unit for storing the dampening water, and dampening water stored in the dampening water storage unit on the plate cylinder. A dampening water supply device having a dampening water roller for supplying to the held printing plate, and the dampening water supply device while keeping the dampening water storage portion of the dampening water supply device horizontal. In this state, the plate cylinder moving mechanism separates the plate cylinder from the position in the moving path and the moving path. Printing apparatus characterized by comprising a dampening water feeder moving mechanism for moving between a location. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dampening water supply device moving mechanism includes a first shaft that rotatably supports the dampening water supply device, and the dampening water supply device. Is rotated about the first axis to move the dampening water supply device between a position in the moving path of the plate cylinder by the plate cylinder moving mechanism and a position separated from the moving path. Drive means, a support member for supporting the dampening water storage portion, a second shaft for rotatably supporting the support member with respect to the dampening water supply device, and the dampening means driven by the drive means. When the fountain solution supply device is rotated about the first shaft, the support member is rotated in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the entire dampening water supply device about the second shaft. A rotation preventing means for preventing the dampening water storage portion from rotating by rotating the dampening water storage portion; Obtain the printing device. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotation prevention unit has one end rotatably connected to the printing apparatus main body about a third shaft and the other end to the support member and 4 has a link member rotatably connected about an axis, and the link member has a distance between the first shaft and the second shaft, the third shaft, and the fourth shaft. And the distance to
And the distance between the first axis and the third axis and the second axis
A printing device configured such that the distance between the axis of the and the fourth axis is equal.