JP3745488B2

JP3745488B2 - Method and apparatus for replenishing development replenisher for photosensitive lithographic printing plate

Info

Publication number: JP3745488B2
Application number: JP5183297A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 捷中尾
Original assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd
Current assignee: Fujifilm Holdings Corp
Priority date: 1997-03-06
Filing date: 1997-03-06
Publication date: 2006-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 2017-03-06
Also published as: JPH10246966A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、現像槽で現像する感光性平版印刷版の現像回数が累積し、中の現像液が劣化する時点を予想し、現像槽内に適時自動的に感光性平版印刷版の現像補充液を補充する感光性平版印刷版の現像補充液補充方法及び装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
感光性平版印刷版（以下、ＰＳ版と略称することもある）の現像に使用される現像液は、版の処理、及び空気中の炭酸ガス吸収に伴って劣化（活性度が低下することで、疲労と称される場合もある）する。そこで、ＰＳ版の現像にあたっては、現像回数が累積して現像槽内の現像液が許容範囲を超えて劣化する時点を予想し、現像槽内に適時自動的に補充液を補充する必要がある。
ＰＳ版の現像にあたってＰＳ版一枚あたりに必要な補充液の量は、ＰＳ版の大きさで異なるとともに処理種別すなわちポジ型現像であるかネガ型現像であるかでも大きく異なる。そこで現像装置にＰＳ版の大きさを瞬時に判断させ、次いで必要な補充液の量を判断させ、補充液を適時に自動的に補充する幾つかの方法が既に考えられている。
【０００３】
特開昭５５−１２６２４２号公報は、ＰＳ版挿入口でその長さと幅とをセンサでその都度機械的に実測してＰＳ版の大きさを演算し、演算結果に応じた量の補充液を適時自動的に算定してそれを自動的に補充するようにした自動現像装置について開示している。
【０００４】
特開平４−１６６９３５号公報は、ＰＳ版の縦横の寸法の比率を予め記憶させた自動現像装置の補充液補充装置について開示している。この場合、自動現像機はＰＳ版挿入口付近でＰＳ版の縦方向の長さをセンサで個々に実測し、縦方向の長さと記憶した比率とからＰＳ版の面積を装置内で演算し、その面積値から更に補充液の補充量を特定し、必要な量だけ自動的に補充液を補充していくという方式を採用している。
【０００５】
特開平７−２９５２３３号公報は、ＰＳ版の縦横両方の寸法を予め記憶させた写真現像装置について開示している。この写真現像装置はＰＳ版の寸法をその搬送方向で測定し、それに適合する縦又は横方向の寸法データを検索し、そこからＰＳ版の表面積を個々に算定し、これに基づいて個々のＰＳ版の処理に必要な補充液量をその都度特定し、適時自動的に補充液を補充していくという方式を採用している。
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記の特開昭５５−１２６２４２号公報開示の装置は、既存の方式の中では最も正確に補充液の補充量を特定することができる。しかし、挿入方向に直交する方向では多数のセンサを横に並べなくてはならない。その結果、この装置の場合には装置のコストが高くなるという問題点がある。
【０００７】
特開平４−１６６９３５号公報開示の装置は、現像処理に供給したＰＳ版の実際の縦横の比率が記憶データと異なる場合、その算定値に誤差が生じるという問題点がある。また、現像機にＰＳ版を挿入する際にその挿入方向を変えると補充量に誤差が生じるという問題点もある。
【０００８】
特開平７−２９５２３３号公報開示の装置は縦横どちらの方向からでも挿入することができる構造になっている。ただし、ＰＳ版の縦幅又は横幅のいずれかが別の規格ランクの縦幅又は横幅のいずれか一方に規格上で同寸である場合、仮にその同寸の長さ方向で写真現像装置に対して挿入があれば、表面積が大きい方の規格版の挿入があったと一律に判断する構造になっている。すなわち、補充量を必ずしも正確に判定することができないという問題点がある。しかも条件設定にあたって入力数値が多く煩雑で、単位面積当たりに必要な補充液量の計算も複雑であるという問題点がある。
【０００９】
更に、上記の装置ではいずれも予め単位面積当たりに必要な補充液の量を記憶させている。補充液の補充量は本来、処理種別すなわちポジ型現像であるかネガ型現像であるかで異なる。また、両面処理か片面処理かでも異なる。更に、同じポジ型現像でも感光層の厚さが異なれば異なるので、単純にＰＳ版の表面積だけに比例する量ではない。そのため、上記いずれの装置でも、不規則な順番にＰＳ版の供給があると、それだけも適正な量の補充液を供給できないという問題点があった。
【００１０】
なお、特開昭５８−１９９３４７号公報は、ネガ型処理とポジ型処理とを判別する手段を自動現像機に新たに設置する提案をしている。これは自動現像機のコストアップにつながり、妥当な判断とは言えない。
【００１１】
そこで本発明の目的は、自動現像装置の稼働中、搬送するＰＳ版の現像に必要な補充液量を瞬時に的確に判断することができ、補充液を補給するタイミングを誤りなく判断するとともに、装置全体の大きさも大きくなくコンパクトに構成できる感光性平版印刷版の処理液補充方法及び装置を提供することである。
【００１２】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の目的は、以下の構成で達成することができる。
（１）感光性平版印刷版の規格ごとに該感光性平版印刷版一枚当たりの現像に対して必要な補充液量を定め、前記感光性平版印刷版の長辺又は短辺のいずれかの規格上の長さに対応付けて前記補充液量を記憶しておき、印刷版を現像槽に搬送させながらその搬送方向の寸法を寸法測定手段で測定し、測定した寸法に基づいて予め記憶した補充液量の中から適正な補充液量を判定し、その判定した補充液量に基づいて所定量の現像補充液を補充手段から現像槽に補充することを特徴とする感光性平版印刷版の現像補充液補充方法。
【００１３】
（２）感光性平版印刷版の規格ごとに該感光性平版印刷版一枚当たりの現像に対して必要な補充液量を定め、前記感光性平版印刷版の長辺又は短辺のいずれかの規格上の長さに対応付けて前記補充液量を予め記録した記憶手段（４７）と、現像部へ搬送される前記印刷版の搬送方向の実寸法を測定する寸法測定手段（４３）と、上記記憶手段（４７）の記録とその実寸法を基に必要な補充液量を個々に判定する補充液量判定手段（５５）と、その判定した補充液量に基づいて補充液を補充するよう指令を出す指令手段（５７）と、その指令手段（５７）から指令を受けて所定量の補充液を現像槽（５）に補充する補充手段（２７）とを設けたことを特徴とする感光性平版印刷版の現像補充液補充装置。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１から図３は、本発明に係る感光性平版印刷版の現像補充液補充装置の一実施形態を示した図である。その内、図１は、本発明の感光性平版印刷版の現像補充液補充装置の一実施形態を有するとともに、種類の違う矩形の感光性平版印刷版を不規則連続的に順次等速度で現像する自動現像装置の概略構成図、図２は前記自動現像装置に装備した感光性平版印刷版の現像補充液補充装置の構成を示すブロック図、図３は自動現像装置に装備した感光性平版印刷版の処理液補充装置の制御手段による制御動作を示すフローチャートである。
【００１５】
図１に示すように、一実施形態の自動現像装置１は、ＰＳ版３の現像液を収容して現像処理を行う現像槽５と、現像後のＰＳ版３を洗浄するリンス槽７とを備えている。露光後のＰＳ版３は、搬送ローラ９により現像槽５内の現像液中に浸漬搬送されて現像処理が行われる。現像後のＰＳ版３は引き続きリンス槽７に搬送されて、リンス液を噴射されて洗浄が行われる。
【００１６】
前記現像槽５内の現像液は、フィルタ１１により濾過されてポンプ１３により循環されながらＰＳ版３に向けて吹きつけられ、ＰＳ版３の被処理面での液交換率が高まるようになっている。なお、本実施形態のように、現像槽５内の現像液は、浮き蓋１５で液面を覆うことにより空気との接触をできる限り防止することが好ましい。また、現像槽５に、上方空間を気密に覆うカバーを設ける。また、現像促進手段として、版面をこする回転ブラシを設けてもよい。
【００１７】
前記現像槽５は、詳細を図２に示す本発明に係る感光性平版印刷版の現像補充液補充装置２１を接続している。この現像補充液補充装置２１は、ＰＳ版３の現像回数が累積して現像槽５内の現像液が劣化する時点を自動的に予想し、現像槽５内に適時自動的に現像補充液を補充する装置である。現像補充液補充装置２１は、キーボード・表示装置２３と光電スイッチ２５と現像補充液の補充手段２７と、これらの動作を制御するコントローラ２９とからなる。
【００１８】
現像補充液補充装置２１に付属している光電スイッチ２５は、現像槽５に向かって原則として長尺方向で搬送するＰＳ版３の搬路上に設けた監視点に設置してある。前記補充手段２７は、補充液補充タンク３１と希釈水補充タンク３３と、これらの各タンクから補充液を現像槽５に補充する補充液補充ポンプ３５と、希釈水を現像槽５に補充する希釈水補充ポンプ３７と作動用リレー３９とをもって構成してある。この補充液補充ポンプ３５と希釈水補充ポンプ３７とは作動用リレー３９を介してコントローラ２９に接続している。
【００１９】
コントローラ２９は、光電スイッチ２５の通電時間を計り、等速度で進行するＰＳ版３が監視点に進入を開始して通過完了するまでの監視点での通過時間を覚知するタイマー４１を有し、その光電スイッチ２５とタイマー４１とは両者一体でＰＳ版３の搬送方向の実寸法を時間長で測定する寸法測定装置を構成している。また、コントローラ２９は、プログラムに従って所定の演算処理をしたり各部に制御信号を出力する中央処理装置（ＣＰＵ）４５と、該中央処理装置４５の算出値などを記憶する第一メモリ（ＲＡＭ）４７と、前記中央処理装置４５を作動させるプログラムや各補充液の補充処理に必要な基本的なデータを記憶した第二メモリ（ＲＯＭ）４９と、前記中央処理装置４５から各部への送受を実現する入出力ポート５１と、Ａ／Ｄ変換機５３とを備えて構成してある。ＰＳ版３の現像回数が累積して現像槽５内の現像液の劣化が予想される時点になれば、現像槽５内に速やかに現像補充液と希釈水とを所定の割合で補充するよう、前記補充手段２７を制御する。
【００２０】
コントローラ２９が装備した第一メモリ４７には、ＰＳ版３の規格ごとにＰＳ版３一枚当たりの現像に必要な補充液量を定め、その補充液量を原則としてその長辺の規格上の長さに対応付けて記録してある。一枚当たりの現像に必要な補充液量は、長辺の規格上の長さから特定できる規格上の表面積と、処理種別すなわちポジ型かネガ型かの区別と、更に規格上の感光層の厚みに原因する必要量の変動も判断要素に入れて定めてある。
【００２１】
また、第一メモリ４７には補充値を記録してある。補充値とは、現像回数の累積による現像槽５内の現像液の劣化を防止するため、補充液の補充のタイミングを決定する値であって、現像回数が増加してその都度補充液を積算していった結果、１回の補充動作による補充量として適当な値である。
【００２２】
また、第一メモリ４７には、監視点をＰＳ版３が通過する都度中央処理装置４５が補充液量を判定し、更にその判定量を積算した積算値を記録するための全補充液量欄が設けてある。ＰＳ版３の一部の規格品について、第一メモリ４７には現像に必要な補充液量をＰＳ版３の短辺の規格上の長さに対応付けて記録してある。すなわち、ポジ型処理が必要なＰＳ版３とネガ型処理が必要なＰＳ版３との間で、規格上、相互に長辺が同寸、相互に短辺も同寸であるという特殊な場合、ネガ型処理が必要なＰＳ版３に限っては短尺方向で搬送するよう、一枚当たりの現像に必要な補充液量を短辺の規格上の長さに対応付けてある。
【００２３】
具体的には、６５０ｍｍ×５５０ｍｍの大きさでポジ型処理を要するＰＳ版３にあたる富士写真フイルム製ＰＳ版ＶＰＳと、６５０ｍｍ×５５０ｍｍの大きさでネガ型処理を要するＰＳ版３にあたる富士写真フイルム製ＰＳ版ＶＮＢＷとは次のようにしてある。ＶＰＳについては一枚あたりの補充液量を２１．４５ミリリットルと定めてこれを搬送方向長６５０ｍｍに対応付け、ＶＮＢＷについては一枚あたりの補充液量を１７．８８ミリリットルと定めてこれを搬送方向長５５０ｍｍに対応付けてある。したがって、ネガ型処理を要するＶＰＳについては短辺方向に搬送して現像処理することにより、適正な補充液量が判定される。
【００２４】
相互に長辺が同寸、相互に短辺も同寸である場合、加重平均補充量をベースに補充液量を定めてもよい。例えば、ポジ型処理が必要なＰＳ版３とネガ型処理が必要なＰＳ版３とを断えず一定の割合で供給していくことが予定できる場合がある。このような場合にはポジ型処理の場合に要する補充液量とネガ型処理の場合に要する補充液量とをその割合で振り分け、その加重平均補充量をベースに補充液量を定めてもよい。
【００２５】
コントローラ２９が装備している中央処理装置４５は、補充液量判定回路５５と指令回路５７とを有する。補充液量判定回路５５とは、監視点で測定したＰＳ版３の長辺又は短辺の実寸法から長辺又は短辺の規格上の長さを特定、そこから現像に必要な補充液量を判定する回路である。指令回路５７とは、ＰＳ版３が監視点を通過する都度補充液量判定回路５５で判定した補充液量の判定量を逐次積算し、第一メモり４７に記憶された補充値と毎回比較し、積算値がその補充値を超えた時点で現像液を補充するよう指令を出す回路である。
【００２６】
上記の感光性平版印刷版の現像補充液補充方法及び装置は図３に示す次のような手順で進行する。
自動現像装置１の駆動スイッチを入力し（ステップ１０１）、ＰＳ版３を原則として長辺方向に供給する。ただし、ポジ型処理が必要なＰＳ版３とネガ型処理が必要なＰＳ版３とが、相互に長辺で同寸、相互に短辺で同寸である場合、ネガ型処理が必要なＰＳ版３に限っては版の短辺方向で供給する。ＰＳ版３は現像槽５に向かって等速度で進行する。
【００２７】
光電スイッチ２５を設けた監視点をＰＳ版３の上端が通過すると光電スイッチ２５はタイマー４１に通電を開始、下端が通過すると終了する。寸法測定装置４３はＰＳ版３の長辺又は短辺の実寸法を通過時間で測定し（ステップ１０３）、その結果を入出力ポート５１から中央処理装置４５に入力する。
【００２８】
中央処理装置４５はＰＳ版３の実寸法を割り出し、第一メモリ４７に記録のある規格寸法の中から最も近い寸法を検索（ステップ１０５）、その寸法に対応付けた補充液量を読み出して現像に必要な補充液量を判定する（ステップ１０７）。
続いて第一メモリ４７の全補充液量欄から、一番最初はゼロという値を呼び出し（ステップ１０９）、新たに判定した補充液量をこれに加算する（ステップ１１１）。
【００２９】
また、第一メモリ４７から補充値を呼び出し、その積算値がその補充値を超えたか否かを確認する（ステップ１１３）。超えていなければ全補充液量欄におけるこれまでの全補充液量値を消去、新たな積算値を上書きして（ステップ１１５）ステップ１０３に戻る。
【００３０】
引き続いて別のＰＳ版３が監視点を通過すると、中央処理装置４５は再び現像に必要な補充液量を判定し（ステップ１０７）、全補充液量欄から過去の積算値を呼び出して（ステップ１０９）これに積算する（ステップ１１１）。
【００３１】
第一メモリ４７に記録してある補充値を呼び出し、積算値がその補充値を超えたか否かを確認する（ステップ１１３）。超えていなければその積算値を、先行するＰＳ版３に必要だった新たな全補充液量として第一メモリ４７に上書きする（ステップ１１５）。積算値が補充値を超えていればその時点で入出力ポート５１経由で補充手段２７に現像補充液と希釈水を現像槽５に補充するよう補充指令を出す（ステップ１１７）。併せて、第一メモリ４７における全補充液欄の記録をゼロにする（ステップ１１９）。
【００３２】
この実施の形態では、その補充液量を表面積と処理種別と感光層の厚みも判断要素に入れて考慮してあるから、現像液を補給するタイミングを極めて正確に判断できる。
【００３３】
【実施例】
以下、本発明の実施例を説明するが、本発明はこれらの実施例によって制限されない。
〔実施例１〕
上記の実施形態に準じた感光性平版印刷版の処理液補充方法及び装置を用いるとともに、富士写真フィルム製自動現像装置で、同社製感光性平版印刷版を現像した。サイズが１００３ｍｍ×８００ｍｍで露光後にポジ型現像処理をすべき富士写真フイルム製ＰＳ版（以下同じであるのでこれを省略する）ＶＰＳについては、ＰＳ版一枚当たりの現像に必要な補充液量を４８．１４ミリリットルと設定、この補充液量を長辺の長さ１００３ｍｍに対応付けて第一メモリに記録、１日当たりこれを３１版現像した。その他のサイズのＰＳ版についてもそれぞれ表１のような補充量として設定し、表１で示す処理版数をもって露光後のＰＳ版各サイズを連続５日間ランダムに現像した。
【００３４】
【表１】

【００３５】
なお表中の入力長とは、補充液量を対応付けて第一メモリに記録した搬送方向のＰＳ版の規格上の寸法をいう。
現像液には富士写真フイルム製ＤＰ−４Ｗ、現像補充液には同社製ＤＰ−４ＲＷ、フィニッシャー液には同社製ＦＰ−２Ｗを用いた。補充すべき補充液の積算量が５００ミリリットルになったときに補充ポンプをＯＮして５００ミリリットル補充する。なお、２日目以降は、毎朝スタート時に特別に補充液１リットルを添加して現像作業を開始した。
処理した版の現像印刷結果は５日間汚れの発生がなく、耐刷性も異常がなかった。
【００３６】
〔実施例２〕
処理版数ついてそれぞれ表２のように変更した他は実施例１と同様にした。
【００３７】
【表２】

【００３８】
現像処理した各ＰＳ版の現像印刷結果は汚れの発生がなく、耐刷性も異常がなかった。
【００３９】
〔比較例１〕
前記特開平７−２９５２３３号公報に記載の構成の装置によって処理を行った。搬送方向を予め特に定めず、また第一メモリにはそれぞれ各ＰＳ版の長辺の寸法と短辺の寸法を記録し、版の長尺方向で挿入があっても短尺方向で挿入があっても挿入方向でその寸法を実測して表面積を機械的に算定できるようにした。その上で、１ｍ²当たりの補充量はポジ型処理、ネガ型処理の区別無く一律に５２．１ミリリットルと仮定し、実際の補充量はこれにそれぞれの表面積を乗じて個々に算定することとした。また各版ごとの処理版数は表３のように定めた。この他は実施例１と同様に現像した。なお、１ｍ²当たりの設定補充量は、ポジ型現像７０％、片面ネガ型現像２０％、両面ネガ型現像１０％の割合で現像処理をするように予想し、その加重平均値から算出した。
【００４０】
【表３】

【００４１】
なお、挿入方向で８００ｍｍ寸法長を実測した場合には、長辺がより長いＰＳ版すなわち１０３０ｍｍ×８００ｍｍ版の挿入があったと判断して表面積を機械的に算定するようしにした。
現像処理した各ＰＳ版の現像印刷結果は汚れの発生がなく、耐刷性も異常がなかった。
【００４２】
〔比較例２〕
処理版数ついてそれぞれ表４のように変更した他は比較例２と同様にした。
【００４３】
【表４】

【００４４】
処理した現像印刷結果はスタートから４日間は汚れが無く、耐刷性も良好であったが、５日目になってネガ版の現像印刷に汚れが発生した。比較例１と違ってこのような結果が出たのは、ポジ版の現像印刷比率が増えたためと推定できる。単位面積あたりの補充量を途中で切替えなければならない事態が生じていたことが分かった。
【００４５】
上記の結果から、比較例のように、ＰＳ版の長辺と短辺の寸法を入力し、かつ単位面積当たりの設定補充量を入力した場合でも、ネガ／ポジの比率を予測できる限りは良好な仕上がりをある程度期待出来る。しかし、ネガ／ポジの比率が変化すれば安定的に良好な現像印刷は望めず、単位面積あたりの補充量を途中で切替えなければならなくなることあることが分かった。これに比べて実施例の場合、ポジ型処理とネガ型処理とを区別する装置をわざわざ設けるまでもなく、ポジ型版とネガ型版とが不規則に入り混ってもきめ細かく補充液を補充でき、安定的に優れた印刷結果を得ることができることが分かった。
【００４６】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、感光性平版印刷版の規格ごとに該感光性平版印刷版一枚当たりの現像に対して必要な補充液量を定め、前記感光性平版印刷版の長辺又は短辺のいずれかの規格上の長さに対応付けて前記補充液量を予め記録した記憶手段と、寸法測定手段と補充液量判定手段と補充液の補充指令手段と補充手段とを設けているから、自動現像装置の稼働中、搬送するＰＳ版の現像に必要な補充液量を瞬時に的確に判断し、補充液を補給するタイミングを誤りなく判断するとともに、装置全体の大きさも大きくなくコンパクトに構成できる感光性平版印刷版の処理液補充方法及び補充装置を提供できる。特に、補充液量の決定には感光層の厚みも判断要素に入れることが可能でその分でも補充のタイミング判断に正確性を期することが可能である。ポジ型処理の必要な印刷版とネガ型処理の必要な印刷版とが不規則に供給されても、キメ細かい補充判断によって安定的に優れた印刷結果を得ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の感光性平版印刷版の処理液補充装置の一実施形態を備えた自動現像装置の概略構成図である。
【図２】本発明の感光性平版印刷版の処理液補充装置の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図３】本発明の感光性平版印刷版の処理液補充装置の制御動作を示すフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
５現像槽
２１感光性平版印刷版の処理液補充装置
２７現像用補充液の補充手段
２９コントローラ
４３寸法測定装置
４５中央処理装置
４７ＲＡＭ
５５補充液量判定回路
５７指令回路[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention predicts the time when the development number of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate developed in the developing tank is accumulated and the developing solution in the developing tank deteriorates, and the developing replenisher of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate automatically and appropriately in the developing tank. The present invention relates to a developing replenisher replenishing method and apparatus for photosensitive lithographic printing plates.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The developer used for developing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “PS plate”) deteriorates with the processing of the plate and absorption of carbon dioxide in the air (because the activity decreases). , Sometimes referred to as fatigue). Therefore, when developing the PS plate, it is necessary to predict the time when the number of times of development accumulates and the developer in the developing tank deteriorates beyond the allowable range, and it is necessary to automatically replenish the developing tank with the replenisher in a timely manner. .
The amount of replenisher required for each PS plate in developing the PS plate differs depending on the size of the PS plate and also greatly differs depending on the processing type, that is, positive development or negative development. In view of this, several methods have already been considered in which the developing device is allowed to instantaneously determine the size of the PS plate, and then to determine the amount of the necessary replenisher, and automatically replenish the replenisher in a timely manner.
[0003]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55-126242 discloses a PS plate insertion slot whose length and width are mechanically measured with a sensor each time, calculates the size of the PS plate, and supplies an amount of replenisher according to the calculation result. An automatic developing apparatus that automatically calculates timely and automatically replenishes it is disclosed.
[0004]
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 4-166935 discloses a replenisher replenisher for an automatic developing device in which the ratio of the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the PS plate is stored in advance. In this case, the automatic processor measures the length of the PS plate in the vicinity of the PS plate insertion slot individually with a sensor, calculates the area of the PS plate in the apparatus from the length in the vertical direction and the stored ratio, A system is employed in which the replenishment amount of the replenisher is further specified from the area value, and the replenisher is automatically replenished by a necessary amount.
[0005]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-295233 discloses a photographic developing apparatus in which both the longitudinal and lateral dimensions of a PS plate are stored in advance. This photo-developing apparatus measures the dimensions of the PS plate in its conveying direction, retrieves the corresponding longitudinal or lateral dimension data, calculates the surface area of the PS plate individually therefrom, and based on this, determines the individual PS plate surface area. A system is used in which the amount of replenisher required for processing the plate is specified each time, and the replenisher is automatically replenished in a timely manner.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55-126242 can specify the replenisher replenishment amount most accurately among the existing methods. However, a large number of sensors must be arranged side by side in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. As a result, this apparatus has a problem that the cost of the apparatus becomes high.
[0007]
The apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-166935 has a problem that an error occurs in the calculated value when the actual aspect ratio of the PS plate supplied to the development processing is different from the stored data. Another problem is that if the insertion direction is changed when the PS plate is inserted into the developing machine, an error occurs in the replenishment amount.
[0008]
The device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-295233 has a structure that can be inserted from either the vertical or horizontal direction. However, if either the vertical or horizontal width of the PS plate is the same size in the standard as either the vertical width or the horizontal width of another standard rank, it should If there is an insertion, the structure is determined so that the standard version with the larger surface area has been inserted. That is, there is a problem that the replenishment amount cannot always be accurately determined. In addition, there are problems that many numerical values are input when setting the conditions, and calculation of the amount of replenisher required per unit area is complicated.
[0009]
Further, in each of the above devices, the amount of replenisher necessary per unit area is stored in advance. The replenishment amount of the replenisher originally differs depending on the processing type, that is, positive development or negative development. Also, it differs depending on whether double-sided processing or single-sided processing. Furthermore, even if the positive development is the same, the photosensitive layer has a different thickness. Therefore, the amount is not simply proportional to the surface area of the PS plate. Therefore, in any of the above-described apparatuses, there is a problem in that an appropriate amount of replenisher cannot be supplied if PS plates are supplied in an irregular order.
[0010]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-199347 proposes to newly install a means for discriminating between negative type processing and positive type processing in an automatic developing machine. This leads to an increase in the cost of the automatic processor, which is not a reasonable judgment.
[0011]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to determine the replenisher amount necessary for developing the PS plate to be conveyed instantly and accurately during operation of the automatic developing apparatus, and to determine without error the timing of replenisher replenishment. It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing liquid replenishing method and apparatus for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate that can be constructed compactly without the overall size of the apparatus being large.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following configurations.
(1) The amount of replenisher necessary for development per photosensitive lithographic printing plate is determined for each standard of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and either the long side or the short side of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate The amount of the replenisher is stored in correspondence with the length on the standard, and the dimension in the transport direction is measured by the dimension measuring means while the printing plate is transported to the developing tank, and stored in advance based on the measured dimension. An appropriate amount of replenisher is determined from the amount of replenisher, and a predetermined amount of developer replenisher is replenished to the developing tank from a replenishing unit based on the determined amount of replenisher. Development replenisher replenishment method.
[0013]
(2) The amount of replenisher necessary for development per photosensitive lithographic printing plate is determined for each standard of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and either the long side or the short side of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate A storage unit (47) in which the amount of the replenisher is recorded in advance in correspondence with a standard length; a dimension measuring unit (43) for measuring an actual dimension in the transport direction of the printing plate transported to the developing unit; A replenisher amount determining means (55) for individually determining the required replenisher amount based on the record of the storage means (47) and its actual dimensions, and a command to replenish the replenisher based on the determined replenisher amount And a replenishing means (27) for receiving a command from the commanding means (57) and replenishing a predetermined amount of replenisher to the developing tank (5). Development replenisher replenisher for lithographic printing plates.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a developing replenisher replenisher for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate according to the present invention. Among them, FIG. 1 has an embodiment of the development replenisher replenisher for photosensitive lithographic printing plates of the present invention, and develops different types of rectangular photosensitive lithographic printing plates at irregular and sequential speeds. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a developing replenisher replenisher for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate equipped in the automatic developing device, and FIG. 3 is a photosensitive lithographic printing equipped in the automatic developing device. It is a flowchart which shows the control action by the control means of the process liquid replenishment apparatus of a plate.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic developing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment includes a developing tank 5 that stores a developing solution of a PS plate 3 and performs development processing, and a rinsing tank 7 that cleans the PS plate 3 after development. I have. The exposed PS plate 3 is dipped and conveyed in the developer in the developing tank 5 by the conveying roller 9 and subjected to development processing. The developed PS plate 3 is continuously conveyed to the rinsing tank 7 and rinsed by spraying a rinsing liquid.
[0016]
The developer in the developer tank 5 is sprayed toward the PS plate 3 while being filtered by the filter 11 and circulated by the pump 13, and the liquid exchange rate on the surface to be processed of the PS plate 3 is increased. Yes. As in this embodiment, it is preferable to prevent the developer in the developing tank 5 from coming into contact with air as much as possible by covering the liquid surface with the floating lid 15. The developing tank 5 is provided with a cover that hermetically covers the upper space. Moreover, you may provide the rotating brush which rubs a printing plate as a development promotion means.
[0017]
The developing tank 5 is connected with a developing replenisher replenishing device 21 for the photosensitive lithographic printing plate according to the present invention shown in detail in FIG. The developer replenisher replenishing device 21 automatically predicts when the development number of the PS plate 3 is accumulated and the developer in the developer tank 5 deteriorates, and automatically supplies the developer replenisher into the developer tank 5 in a timely manner. It is a device to refill. The developing replenisher replenishing device 21 comprises a keyboard / display device 23, a photoelectric switch 25, a developing replenisher replenishing means 27, and a controller 29 for controlling these operations.
[0018]
The photoelectric switch 25 attached to the developing replenisher replenishing device 21 is installed at a monitoring point provided on the carrying path of the PS plate 3 that is conveyed in the long direction toward the developing tank 5 in principle. The replenishing means 27 includes a replenisher replenishing tank 31, a dilution water replenishing tank 33, a replenisher replenishing pump 35 that replenishes the developing tank 5 with replenishing liquid from each of these tanks, and a dilution that replenishes the developing tank 5 with dilution water. A water replenishment pump 37 and an operation relay 39 are included. The replenisher replenishment pump 35 and the dilution water replenishment pump 37 are connected to the controller 29 via an operation relay 39.
[0019]
The controller 29 has a timer 41 that measures the energization time of the photoelectric switch 25 and recognizes the passing time at the monitoring point until the PS plate 3 traveling at a constant speed starts entering the monitoring point and completes passing. The photoelectric switch 25 and the timer 41 together constitute a dimension measuring device that measures the actual dimension in the transport direction of the PS plate 3 with a time length. In addition, the controller 29 performs a predetermined arithmetic processing according to a program and outputs a control signal to each unit, and a first memory (RAM) 47 that stores a calculated value of the central processing unit 45 and the like. And a second memory (ROM) 49 storing a program for operating the central processing unit 45 and basic data necessary for the replenishment processing of each replenisher, and transmission / reception from the central processing unit 45 to each unit. An input / output port 51 and an A / D converter 53 are provided. When the number of developments of the PS plate 3 is accumulated and it is predicted that the developer in the developer tank 5 is expected to deteriorate, the developer replenisher and dilution water are quickly replenished at a predetermined ratio into the developer tank 5. The replenishing means 27 is controlled.
[0020]
In the first memory 47 provided in the controller 29, the amount of replenisher required for development for each PS plate 3 is determined for each PS plate 3 standard, and the amount of replenisher is, in principle, on the long side standard. It is recorded in association with the length. The amount of replenisher required for development per sheet includes the standard surface area that can be identified from the length of the long side, the distinction between the processing type, that is, the positive type and the negative type, and the standard photosensitive layer. Variations in the required amount due to thickness are also included in the decision factor.
[0021]
Further, the replenishment value is recorded in the first memory 47. The replenishment value is a value that determines the replenishment timing of the replenisher in order to prevent deterioration of the developer in the developing tank 5 due to the accumulation of the number of developments. The replenisher is added each time the number of developments increases. As a result, the replenishment amount for one replenishment operation is an appropriate value.
[0022]
Further, in the first memory 47, a total replenisher volume field for recording an integrated value obtained by the central processing unit 45 determining the replenisher amount each time the PS plate 3 passes the monitoring point and further integrating the determined amount. Is provided. For some standard products of the PS plate 3, the amount of replenisher necessary for development is recorded in the first memory 47 in association with the standard length of the short side of the PS plate 3. In other words, the PS plate 3 that requires positive processing and the PS plate 3 that requires negative processing have a special case where the long sides are the same size and the short sides are the same size. For the PS plate 3 that requires negative processing, the amount of replenisher required for development per sheet is associated with the length of the short side so as to be conveyed in the short direction.
[0023]
Specifically, a Fuji Photo Film PS plate VPS, which is a PS plate 3 having a size of 650 mm × 550 mm and requiring a positive processing, and a Fuji Photo Film corresponding to a PS plate 3 having a size of 650 mm × 550 mm, which requires a negative processing. The PS version VNBW is as follows. For VPS, the amount of replenisher per sheet is set to 21.45 ml, and this is associated with a length of 650 mm in the transport direction. For VNBW, the amount of replenisher per sheet is set to 17.88 ml, and this is determined in the direction of transport. The length is associated with 550 mm. Therefore, an appropriate replenisher amount can be determined by carrying and developing a VPS that requires negative processing in the short side direction.
[0024]
When the long sides are the same size and the short sides are the same size, the replenisher amount may be determined based on the weighted average replenishment amount. For example, there may be a case where it is possible to supply the PS plate 3 that requires positive processing and the PS plate 3 that requires negative processing at a certain rate without fail. In such a case, the replenisher amount required in the case of the positive type process and the replenisher amount required in the case of the negative type process are distributed in proportion, and the replenisher amount may be determined based on the weighted average replenishment amount. .
[0025]
The central processing unit 45 equipped in the controller 29 has a replenisher amount determination circuit 55 and a command circuit 57. The replenisher amount determining circuit 55 specifies the length of the long side or the short side on the standard length from the actual dimensions of the long side or short side of the PS plate 3 measured at the monitoring point, and from there, the replenisher amount necessary for development It is a circuit which determines. The command circuit 57 sequentially accumulates the replenisher amount determined by the replenisher amount determination circuit 55 each time the PS plate 3 passes the monitoring point, and compares it with the replenishment value stored in the first memory 47 each time. The circuit issues a command to replenish the developer when the integrated value exceeds the replenishment value.
[0026]
The above-described developing replenisher replenishing method and apparatus for the photosensitive lithographic printing plate proceeds in the following procedure shown in FIG.
The driving switch of the automatic developing apparatus 1 is input (step 101), and the PS plate 3 is supplied in the long side direction in principle. However, if the PS plate 3 that requires positive processing and the PS plate 3 that requires negative processing have the same dimensions on the long sides and the same dimensions on the short sides, the PS that requires negative processing. For plate 3 only, it is supplied in the short side direction of the plate. The PS plate 3 travels at a constant speed toward the developing tank 5.
[0027]
When the upper end of the PS plate 3 passes the monitoring point where the photoelectric switch 25 is provided, the photoelectric switch 25 starts energizing the timer 41 and ends when the lower end passes. The dimension measuring device 43 measures the actual dimension of the long side or the short side of the PS plate 3 based on the passage time (step 103), and inputs the result from the input / output port 51 to the central processing unit 45.
[0028]
The central processing unit 45 calculates the actual size of the PS plate 3, searches for the closest size from the standard size recorded in the first memory 47 (step 105), reads the replenisher amount associated with that size, and develops it. The amount of replenisher necessary for the determination is determined (step 107).
Subsequently, a value of zero is first called from the total replenisher amount column of the first memory 47 (step 109), and the newly determined replenisher amount is added to this (step 111).
[0029]
In addition, the replenishment value is called from the first memory 47, and it is confirmed whether or not the integrated value exceeds the replenishment value (step 113). If not, the previous total replenisher volume value in the total replenisher volume column is deleted, the new integrated value is overwritten (step 115), and the process returns to step 103.
[0030]
Subsequently, when another PS plate 3 passes the monitoring point, the central processing unit 45 again determines the replenisher amount necessary for development (step 107), and calls the past integrated value from the total replenisher amount column (step 107). 109) Accumulate this (step 111).
[0031]
The replenishment value recorded in the first memory 47 is called, and it is confirmed whether or not the integrated value exceeds the replenishment value (step 113). If not, the integrated value is overwritten in the first memory 47 as a new total replenisher amount required for the preceding PS plate 3 (step 115). If the integrated value exceeds the replenishment value, a replenishment command is issued to replenish the developing replenisher and dilution water to the replenishing means 27 via the input / output port 51 at that time (step 117). At the same time, the record in the all replenisher column in the first memory 47 is set to zero (step 119).
[0032]
In this embodiment, since the amount of the replenisher is taken into consideration in consideration of the surface area, the processing type, and the thickness of the photosensitive layer, the timing for replenishing the developer can be judged very accurately.
[0033]
【Example】
Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.
[Example 1]
The photosensitive lithographic printing plate manufactured by the same company was developed with an automatic developing device manufactured by Fuji Photo Film while using the processing liquid replenishing method and apparatus for the photosensitive lithographic printing plate according to the above embodiment. Fuji Photo Film PS plate (hereinafter omitted because it is the same size) that should be positively developed after exposure with a size of 1003 mm x 800 mm For VPS, the amount of replenisher required for development per PS plate The amount of the replenisher was set in the first memory in association with the long side length of 1003 mm, and developed 31 plates per day. The PS plates of other sizes were also set as replenishment amounts as shown in Table 1, and each size of the exposed PS plate was randomly developed for 5 consecutive days with the number of processed plates shown in Table 1.
[0034]
[Table 1]

[0035]
The input length in the table refers to the standard size of the PS plate in the transport direction recorded in the first memory in association with the replenisher amount.
DP-4W manufactured by Fuji Photo Film was used as the developer, DP-4RW manufactured by the same company as the developer replenisher, and FP-2W manufactured by the same company was used as the finisher liquid. When the cumulative amount of replenisher to be replenished reaches 500 milliliters, the replenishment pump is turned on to replenish 500 milliliters. From the second day onward, the development work was started by adding 1 liter of replenisher specially every morning at the start.
The developed printing result of the treated plate was free from smudges for 5 days and the printing durability was not abnormal.
[0036]
[Example 2]
The processing plate numbers were the same as those in Example 1 except that the processing plate numbers were changed as shown in Table 2.
[0037]
[Table 2]

[0038]
The development printing results of the developed PS plates were free from smudges and no abnormal printing durability.
[0039]
[Comparative Example 1]
Processing was carried out by an apparatus having the structure described in JP-A-7-295233. The transport direction is not determined in advance, and the length and the short side dimension of each PS plate are recorded in the first memory, and even if there is an insertion in the long direction of the plate, there is an insertion in the short direction. In addition, the surface area can be calculated mechanically by measuring its dimensions in the insertion direction. In addition, it is assumed that the replenishment amount per 1 m ² is uniformly 52.1 milliliters regardless of whether it is a positive-type treatment or a negative-type treatment, and the actual replenishment amount is calculated by multiplying it by the respective surface area. did. The number of processed versions for each version is determined as shown in Table 3. The rest was developed in the same manner as in Example 1. The set replenishment amount per 1 m ² was calculated from the weighted average value, assuming that the development processing was performed at a ratio of 70% positive development, 20% single-sided negative development, and double-sided negative development 10%.
[0040]
[Table 3]

[0041]
When the 800 mm dimension length was actually measured in the insertion direction, it was determined that a PS plate having a longer long side, that is, a 1030 mm × 800 mm plate was inserted, and the surface area was calculated mechanically.
The development printing results of the developed PS plates were free from smudges and no abnormal printing durability.
[0042]
[Comparative Example 2]
The processing plate numbers were the same as those in Comparative Example 2 except that they were changed as shown in Table 4.
[0043]
[Table 4]

[0044]
The processed development printing result was free from smudges for 4 days from the start, and the printing durability was good. On the 5th day, however, smear occurred on the negative development print. Unlike Comparative Example 1, such a result was obtained because the development printing ratio of the positive plate increased. It was found that there was a situation where the replenishment amount per unit area had to be switched halfway.
[0045]
From the above results, it is good as long as the negative / positive ratio can be predicted even when the long side and short side dimensions of the PS plate are input and the set replenishment amount per unit area is input as in the comparative example. A certain level of finish can be expected. However, it has been found that if the negative / positive ratio changes, stable and good development printing cannot be expected, and the replenishment amount per unit area may have to be switched halfway. Compared to this, in the case of the embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a device for distinguishing between the positive type processing and the negative type processing, and even if the positive type plate and the negative type plate are mixed irregularly, the replenisher is replenished finely. It was found that excellent printing results could be obtained stably.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the amount of replenisher required for development per photosensitive lithographic printing plate is determined for each standard of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and the long side or the short side of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is determined. Since there is provided a storage means for previously recording the replenisher amount in association with any standard length , a dimension measuring means, a replenisher amount determining means, a replenisher replenishment command means, and a replenisher means. While the automatic developing device is in operation, the amount of replenisher required for developing the transported PS plate is determined instantly and accurately, and the timing of replenisher replenishment is determined without error, and the overall size of the device is not large and is compact. A method and apparatus for replenishing a processing solution for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate that can be provided can be provided. In particular, the thickness of the photosensitive layer can be included in the determination factor in determining the amount of replenisher, and the replenishment timing can be accurately determined accordingly. Even if printing plates that require positive-type processing and printing plates that require negative-type processing are supplied irregularly, excellent printing results can be stably obtained by fine replenishment judgment.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic developing device including an embodiment of a processing liquid replenishing device for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a processing liquid replenishing device for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control operation of a processing liquid replenishing device for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
5 Developing tank 21 Processing solution replenishing device for photosensitive lithographic printing plate 27 Replenishing means for developing replenisher 29 Controller 43 Dimension measuring device 45 Central processing device 47 RAM
55 Replenisher volume determination circuit 57 Command circuit

Claims

For each standard of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, the amount of replenisher necessary for development per photosensitive lithographic printing plate is determined, and the standard of either the long side or the short side of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate The amount of replenisher is stored in association with the length, the dimension in the transport direction is measured by the dimension measuring means while the printing plate is transported to the developing tank, and the amount of replenisher stored in advance based on the measured dimension A developing replenisher for a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, wherein an appropriate replenisher amount is determined from the determined replenisher amount, and a predetermined amount of development replenisher solution is replenished from the replenishing means to the developing tank based on the determined replenisher amount. Replenishment method.

For each standard of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, the amount of replenisher necessary for development per photosensitive lithographic printing plate is determined, and the standard of either the long side or the short side of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate Storage means (47) in which the replenisher amount is recorded in advance in association with the length, dimension measurement means (43) for measuring the actual dimension in the transport direction of the printing plate transported to the developing unit, and the storage means A replenisher amount determining means (55) for individually determining the required replenisher amount based on the record of (47) and its actual dimensions, and a command for issuing a command to replenish the replenisher based on the determined replenisher amount Photosensitive lithographic printing plate comprising means (57) and replenishment means (27) for receiving a command from the command means (57) and replenishing a predetermined amount of replenisher to the developing tank (5) Development replenisher replenisher.