JP4312191B2 - Cylindrical outer surface scanning device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cylindrical outer surface scanning device, and more specifically, a recording drum on which a printing plate is mounted on the outer surface of the cylinder, and a printing plate by scanning a light beam in a circumferential direction and an axial direction of the drum. The present invention relates to a cylindrical outer surface scanning device including an exposure unit that performs exposure on a cylindrical surface.

  A color print is produced through several processes such as an exposure process and a printing process. Prior to this exposure step, the color printed document image is separated into a plurality of colors, typically four colors Y (yellow), M (red), C (indigo) and K (black). Thereby, image data for each color is generated. Such image data is given to the cylindrical outer surface scanning device used in the exposure process. Further, a sheet-like printing plate such as a so-called PS plate (Presensitized Plate) is mounted on the outer surface of the recording drum provided in the cylindrical outer surface scanning device. The PS plate is a printing plate in which a photosensitive layer is applied in advance on a plate material such as an aluminum plate, a plastic sheet or paper.

  In the exposure process, the cylindrical outer surface scanning device exposes the printing plate mounted on the outer surface of the recording drum based on the supplied image data, and thereby draws an image for each separated color on the printing plate. That is, when the original image is color-separated into YMCK, images of different colors are drawn on the four printing plates.

  A printing machine used in the printing process applies color ink corresponding to the exposed printing plate of each color and performs overprinting, thereby producing a color printed matter. At this time, if the images of the respective colors are overprinted in a shifted state, a poor color printed matter is produced. In order to prevent such deviation, punch holes serving as a positioning reference at the time of printing are formed at predetermined positions of the printing plate before the exposure process. That is, the cylindrical outer surface scanning device is controlled so as to draw an image of each color in the same region on each printing plate with the formed punch hole as a reference. Further, the printing machine uses this punch hole to perform overprinting in a state where images of each color are aligned. Thereby, a high-quality color printed matter is produced.

  As described above, the punch holes are formed on the printing plate before the exposure process. Therefore, conventionally, the cylindrical outer surface scanning device may include a punch unit that forms punch holes in the printing plate. This type of cylindrical outer surface scanning apparatus performs a plurality of processes such as a punching process by a punch unit and an exposure process.

  However, in order to improve the working efficiency of the cylindrical outer surface scanning device, it is preferable that a plurality of processes executed inside be executed in parallel as much as possible. Further, the cylindrical outer surface scanning device is also required to reduce its occupation area.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cylindrical outer surface scanning device that can execute a plurality of processes in parallel or reduce the occupied area thereof.

A first invention is a cylindrical outer surface scanning device that scans a light beam on a printing plate and performs drawing on the printing plate, and has a cylindrical outer surface on which the printing plate is mounted. A recording drum that rotates about the axis of a cylinder, and an exposure unit that performs exposure by scanning a light beam on a printing plate mounted on the outer surface of the rotating recording drum while moving in the axial direction of the recording drum And a punch unit provided with a punch for punching the printing plate and disposed obliquely above the recording drum, a first tray for supplying the printing plate toward the recording drum, and an exposure unit. A second tray that receives and stores the printing plate from the recording drum is held in a positional relationship in which one of the plates is disposed directly above one of the other, and the storage is positioned obliquely above the recording drum. / Transport mechanism and storage / transport mechanism By vertically moving by turning against bench unit and the recording drum, a first position the plate is moveable between a storage / transportation mechanism and the punching unit, storage / transportation mechanism and the recording drum And a drive mechanism for realizing a second position where the printing plate can move between the two.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, in the second position, a supply pass line for discharging the printing plate from the first tray toward the recording drum, and the recording drum to the second tray. And a discharge pass line for discharging the printing plate toward the end, and the end point of the supply pass line and the start point of the discharge pass line are set at different angular positions on the recording drum by a predetermined angle. To do.

In a third aspect based on the second invention, the storage / transport mechanism, and a part of that it is arranged so as to be positioned just above the recording drum.

  According to a fourth invention, in the first invention, the punch is formed with a punch hole that matches a shape and pitch of a pin included in a printing machine used in a printing process.

  According to a fifth aspect, in the first aspect, the punch is formed with a notch that matches the outer shape and pitch of a positioning pin fixedly mounted on the recording drum.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the squeeze roller further includes a squeeze roller disposed in the vicinity of the recording drum in the second aspect, and the squeeze roller has a second tray through which the printing plate mounted on the recording drum passes through the discharge path line. The plate is pressed against the outer surface of the recording drum when stored in the recording drum.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the squeeze roller further includes a squeeze roller disposed in the vicinity of the recording drum in the second aspect of the invention, and the squeeze roller passes through the supply pass line with the printing plate stored in the first tray. And the press plate is pressed against the outer surface of the recording drum.

  In an eighth aspect based on the first aspect, the storage / conveyance mechanism includes two side plates and a rotating shaft protruding outward from the two side plates, and the first and second trays are: The second tray is disposed between the two side plates so that the second tray is positioned immediately above the first tray, and the drive mechanism rotates the storage / conveyance mechanism about the rotation axis.

  According to the present invention, the storage / conveyance mechanism is rotated between the first position and the second position by the drive mechanism. The storage / conveyance mechanism can supply the printing plate to the punch unit when it is in the first position. On the other hand, when the storage / conveyance mechanism is located at the second position, the printing plate can be supplied to the recording drum. As described above, the storage / conveyance mechanism can supply the printing plate to the punch unit and the recording drum, which are physically different in configuration and configured to execute different processes. Therefore, this cylindrical outer surface scanning device can continuously execute a plurality of processes executed inside.

  Further, one of the first and second trays of the storage / conveyance mechanism is disposed immediately above one of the other. The recording drum is disposed below (for example, obliquely below) the storage / conveyance mechanism. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a cylindrical outer surface scanning device having a small occupation area.

  Further, the unexposed printing plate and the exposed printing plate are stored in a physically different first tray and second tray. Therefore, in order to store the currently exposed printing plate after the exposure, the printing plate to be exposed next can be supplied to the first tray while the second tray is secured. Thus, the cylindrical outer surface scanning apparatus can execute a plurality of processes executed inside in parallel.

  Further, the end point of the supply pass line and the start point of the discharge pass line are set at different angular positions on the recording drum by a predetermined angle. As a result, the supply pass line and the discharge pass line can be formed between the recording drums from the first and second trays of the storage / conveyance mechanisms arranged vertically while maintaining a substantially parallel relationship.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a configuration of a cylindrical outer surface scanning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this cylindrical outer surface scanning device, a storage / conveying mechanism 2, a driving mechanism 3, a punch unit 4, a recording drum 5, an exposure head 6, and an electrical component are roughly arranged on each part of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped frame 1. 7 is attached. The drive mechanism 3 is not shown in FIG. 1 for the sake of clarity.

  Here, FIG. 2 is a view showing the storage / conveying mechanism 2 when the cross section taken along the alternate long and short dash line A-A ′ shown in FIG. It should be noted that not all the configurations shown in FIG. 2 are shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the storage / conveying mechanism 2 includes two trays 22 and 23 sandwiched and fixed by two side plates 21, a feeding roller 24, a loading conveying roller 25, and an unloading mechanism. Transport rollers 26. Thus, the two trays 22 and 23 are vertically arranged and integrally formed by the two side plates 21. Since the tray 23 is disposed immediately above the tray 22, the tray 23 is hereinafter referred to as an upper tray 23 and the tray 22 is further referred to as a lower tray 22.

  The feed roller 24 is a roller for transporting the printing plate stored in the lower tray 22 in the direction of the transport roller 25. Each of the conveying roller 25 and the conveying roller 26 is a set of two rollers arranged so as to be bridged from one side plate 21 to the other. Further, the transport roller 25 is arranged so that a set of two rollers abuts at a position close to the tip of the lower tray 22. Further, the transport rollers 26 are arranged so that a set of two rollers abut at a position close to the tip of the upper tray 23. The feed roller 24 and the transport roller 25 as described above are connected to a motor M50 fixed to one side plate 21 by a belt (not shown), and rotate by receiving a driving force generated by the motor M50. Further, the transport roller 26 is connected to a motor M54 fixed to one side plate 21 by a belt (not shown), and rotates by receiving a driving force generated by the motor M55.

  Further, small holes 27 and 28 are formed at predetermined positions of the lower tray 22 and the upper tray 23, and sensors PH50 and PH54 are fixed immediately below the small holes 27 and 28. The sensors PH50 and PH54 detect whether or not there is a printing plate directly above the small holes 27 and 28.

  The storage / conveyance mechanism 2 having the above configuration is fixed to the upper portion of the frame 1 as indicated by a dashed line arrow α in FIG. However, the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 rotates within a predetermined range around a rotation shaft 29 protruding outward from the two side plates 21 (see arrow β in FIGS. 1 and 2). The drive mechanism 3 realizes the rotation of the storage / conveyance mechanism 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the driving mechanism 3 when viewed from the direction of the arrow C shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the drive mechanism 3 shown in FIG.

  3 and 4, the drive mechanism 3 includes two cam follower guides 31, two motors M55, two cam gears 32, and one cam follower 33, and further includes at least one sensor detection plate 34 and sensors PH55 and PH56. Prepare. Each cam follower guide 31 has a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and an oblong through hole is formed in the rectangular parallelepiped. Each cam follower guide 31 is fixed to each side plate 21 one by one so that both through holes face each other via the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 (see FIG. 4). The motors M55 are disposed in the vicinity of the side plates 21 and are fixed to the frame 1 so as to face each other via the storage / conveyance mechanism 2. Each cam gear 32 is fixed to the frame 1 so as to face each side plate 21. However, each cam gear 32 receives the driving force generated by each motor M55 and rotates about its own axis. Each cam follower 33 is fixed to the outer edge of one surface (the surface facing the side plate 21) of each cam gear 32, and moves circularly about the axis of the cam gear 32. Each cam follower 33 has a disk shape having substantially the same diameter as the vertical width of the through hole of the cam follower guide 31, and is inserted into the through hole as shown by an alternate long and short dash line arrow D in FIG. . Thereby, each cam follower guide 31 and each cam gear 32 are connected by each cam follower 33, and as a result, the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 is supported by the drive mechanism 3.

  The disk-shaped sensor detection plate 34 is arranged so as to be concentric with one cam gear 32 and rotates together with the cam gear 32. A single slit 35 is formed on the outer periphery of the sensor detection plate 34. The sensors PH55 and PH56 are fixed to the frame 1 so that the slit 35 formed in the rotating sensor detection plate 34 can be detected.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the drive mechanism 3 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that the motor M55 is not shown in FIG. 5 for the sake of clarity. In FIG. 5A, the sensor PH55 detects the slit 35 of the sensor detection plate 34 located immediately above itself. At the time of such detection, each cam follower 33 is positioned in the vicinity of the lowermost end of the range in which the cam follower 33 can circularly move. Supported by mechanism 3. At this time, when each cam gear 32 receives the driving force generated by each motor M55 and starts to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow γ, each cam follower 33 is moved in the same direction, that is, from the vicinity of the lowermost position at the current position. Start a circular motion upward. Accordingly, each cam follower 33 moves the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 to which each cam follower guide 31 is fixed upward from the lower position.

  By the way, in FIG. 5B, the slit 35 of the sensor detection plate 34 moves circularly in the direction of the arrow γ from the position directly above the sensor PH55 together with the rotation of the cam gear 32, and eventually immediately above the sensor PH56. To position. The sensor PH56 detects the slit 35 located immediately above itself. At the time of such detection, each motor M55 stops generating the driving force. Accordingly, each cam follower 33 is positioned in the vicinity of the uppermost end of the range in which the circular movement is possible, and the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 is supported by the drive mechanism 3 at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the uppermost end (hereinafter referred to as the upper position). To be stopped. By the operation of the drive mechanism 3 described above, the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 moves up and down between the lower position and the upper position.

  Next, the punch unit 4 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. 6 shows the punch unit 4 when the cross section taken along the alternate long and short dash line E-E 'shown in FIG. First, in FIG. 1, the punch unit 4 includes at least two punchers 41 and a mounting member 42. As shown in FIG. 6, each puncher 41 generally includes a main body 43, a sensor PH 62, a motor M 60, and a punch 44. A gap 45 is formed in the main body 43, and a printing plate conveyed through a first supply pass line (described later) is inserted into the gap 45. The sensor PH62 detects whether or not a printing plate has been inserted into the gap 45. The motor M60 generates a driving force when the sensor PH62 detects a printing plate. This driving force is converted into a force for moving the punch 44 up and down by a cam mechanism (not shown) inside the main body. The punch 44 moves up and down in response to the force transmitted from the cam mechanism, and punches the printing plate placed in the gap 45. As a result, a punch hole and / or a notch is formed at one end of the printing plate. The mounting member 42 has a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and a groove 46 is formed along the longitudinal direction thereof. Each puncher 41 is attached to the groove 46. The punch unit 4 described above is fixed on the frame 1 as shown by the one-dot chain line arrow δ in FIG.

  Next, the recording drum 5 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the recording drum 5 and its periphery when the cross section taken along the alternate long and short dash line G-G ′ shown in FIG. In FIGS. 1 and 7, the recording drum 5 is disposed in the frame 1 at a position obliquely below the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 and the punch unit 4. The recording drum 5 has a substantially cylindrical shape, receives a driving force generated by the motor M1, and rotates around the axis of the cylinder. On the outer surface (annular surface) of the recording drum 5, a printing plate P (see a hatched portion in FIG. 1) conveyed around a second supply pass line (described later) is wound and mounted.

  The cylindrical outer surface scanning device includes at least two positioning pins 51, a front end clamp 52, and a rear end clamp 53 as a configuration for fixing the printing plate P on the outer surface of the recording drum 5. As shown in FIG. 1, these positioning pins 51 are fixed on the outer surface of the recording drum 5 so as to be aligned in parallel with the central axis of the recording drum 5, and a second supply pass line (described later) is provided. It is configured so that one end of the conveyed printing plate can be clamped. The rear end clamp 53 is configured to be detachable with respect to the outer surface of the recording drum 5. When the rear end clamp 53 is detached from the recording drum 5, it is held by a first clamp driving unit (not shown). When attached to 5, the other end of the printing plate conveyed through a second supply pass line (described later) is clamped.

  The rotary encoder 54 is attached to the rotating shaft of the recording drum 5 and detects various angular positions. In this cylindrical outer surface scanning device, the first angular position X that the front end clamp 52 clamps, the second angular position Z that is related to the arrangement position of the rear end clamp 53, and the third angle that releases the front end clamp 52 clamp. The position Q is defined in advance. Each angular position is based on a predetermined reference line S as shown in FIG. When the front end clamp 52 is located at the first angular position X, it is driven by a first clamp driving unit (not shown) to clamp one end of the printing plate, and when it is located at the third angular position Q, Driven by a second clamp driving unit (not shown), one end of the clamped printing plate is released. The rear end clamp 53 is attached to the outer surface of the recording drum 5 by a third clamp driving unit (not shown) at the second angular position, and clamps the other end of the printing plate. The rear end clamp 53 attached on the outer surface is further removed from the outer surface by the third clamp driving unit when it is located at the second angular position Z, and the other end of the printing plate is released. Note that the first to third clamp driving units themselves do not constitute the invention of the present application, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Further, the cylindrical outer surface scanning device has a configuration for bringing the printing plate into close contact with the outer surface of the recording drum 5, although not shown, a plurality of small holes for suctioning the printing plate formed on the outer surface of the recording drum 5 and A groove (hereinafter referred to as an adsorption hole and an adsorption groove), a blower that forms a vacuum system together with the adsorption hole and the adsorption groove, and a squeeze roller disposed in the vicinity of the recording drum 5 are provided. Since these suction holes, suction grooves, blowers, and squeeze rollers are not related to the gist of the present invention, their detailed description is omitted.

  Next, the exposure head 6 will be described. The exposure head 6 is placed on a table 61 arranged close to the recording drum 5 as indicated by a one-dot chain line ε in FIG. 1, and the recording drum is driven by the driving force generated by the feed screw mechanism 62. 5 is scanned on a printing plate that rotates together with the recording drum 5 with a light beam that is modulated in accordance with image data supplied from an electrical component 7 described later while being sent in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of Thus, exposure is performed.

  The electrical component 7 is attached to the side portion of the frame 1 as indicated by a dashed line arrow ζ in FIG. 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the electrical unit 7 is electrically connected to the above-described components, and controls the operation of the cylindrical outer surface scanning device while transmitting and receiving signals to and from the components. To do. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8, a procedure of processing executed by the cylindrical outer surface scanning apparatus on the printing plate will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

The cylindrical outer surface scanning apparatus is currently in a state immediately after executing the processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 at least once. Therefore, the printing plate P ₁ to be exposed this time is mounted on the outer surface of the recording drum 5, and the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 is stopped at the lower position (see step S910 described later). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, one end and the other end of the printing plate P ₁ are clamped by a front end clamp 52 and a rear end clamp 53 and fixed on the recording drum 5. Further, the printing plate P ₁ is in close contact with the recording drum 5 by vacuum suction by the vacuum system described above.

Under the state as described above, the printing plate P ₂ to be punched this time is supplied to the lower tray 22 of the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 as shown in FIG. 11 (step S91). The plate P ₂ is supplied to the lower tray 22 by an operator's manual operation or automatically supplied by an automatic plate supply mechanism (not shown) additionally attached to the cylindrical outer surface scanning device.

Sensor PH50 of the storage / transportation mechanism 2 detects that the plate P ₂ is supplied, and outputs a detection signal S _PH50 indicating that the electrical circuitry section 7. Electrical circuitry section 7, when the detection signal S _PH50 inputs, starts the punching process for the plate P ₂ which is currently stored in the lower tray 22 (step S92). Here, the punching process includes steps S93 to S97 described later.

In the punching process, the electrical unit 7 first outputs a drive signal S _{M55 +} to each motor M55. The drive mechanism 3 receives the driving force generated by each motor M55 by the input drive signal S _{M55 +} and moves the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 from the lower position to the upper position. When the sensor PH56 detects the arrival of the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 at the upper position, the sensor PH56 outputs a detection signal _SPH56 indicating that fact to the electrical unit 7. In response to the input detection signal _SPH56 , the electrical unit 7 stops outputting the drive signal S _{M55 +} and stops the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 at the upper position (step S93). As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the transport roller 25 of the storage / transport mechanism 2 and the gap 45 of the punch unit 4 are arranged in a straight line, and as shown by the two-dot chain arrow η between them. A first supply pass line is formed.

The electrical unit 7 outputs the drive signal S _{M50 +} to the motor M50 after the first supply pass line is formed. As shown in FIG. 13, the feed roller 24 and the transport roller 25 receive the driving force generated by the motor M50 based on the input drive signal S _{M50 +} and supply the printing plate P ₂ from the storage / transport mechanism 2 to the punch unit 4. Rotate in the direction (see arrow θ). Hereinafter, the rotation of the feed roller 24 and the transport roller 25 is referred to as normal rotation. As a result, the printing plate P ₂ is fed in the direction of the conveying roller 25 by the rotation of the feeding roller 24 on the surface of the lower tray 22, and one end side thereof is conveyed by the conveying roller 25 as the printing plate discharge portion of the claims. To the first supply pass line. The plate P ₂ fed is linearly conveying the first supply path line above. Further, the position of the sent printing plate P ₂ with respect to each puncher 41 is adjusted by a centering mechanism (not shown) in the middle of the first supply pass line. At this time, the centering mechanism preferably adjusts the position as lack two punched holes and / or cut from left and right ends of the plate P ₂ equidistant positions are formed. The plate P ₂ whose position has been adjusted is eventually introduced into the gap 45 of each puncher 41.

Sensor PH62 of each puncher 41, when the one end of the plate P ₂ directly under its own for detecting the arrival, and outputs a detection signal S _PH62 indicating that the electrical circuitry section 7. The electrical unit 7 stops outputting the drive signal S _{M50 +} in response to the input detection signal _SPH62 . As described above, the plate P ₂ is, for the left-right direction is the position adjustment by the centering mechanism, is positioned adjusted based on the detection result of the sensor PH62 is with respect to the front-rear direction. Thus, the punch unit 4 can form punch holes and / or notches at accurate positions with respect to the printing plate P ₁ . Further, as described above, the storage / transportation mechanism 2 as a loading mechanism according to claim conveys the plate P ₂ of the lower tray 22 from the lower tray 22 to the puncher 41 (step S94).

After completing the position adjustment of the printing plate P ₂ , the electrical unit 7 generates a drive signal S _M60 and outputs it to the motor M 60 of the punch unit 4. Each punch 44 moves up and down by the driving force generated by each motor M60 according to the input drive signal S _M60 , punches out the printing plate P ₂ positioned directly below itself, and at least two punch holes are formed in the printing plate P _2. And / or a notch is formed (punching; step S95). The shape and pitch of each notch coincide with the outer shape and pitch of the positioning pins 51 fixedly mounted on the recording drum 5. On the other hand, the shape and pitch of each punch hole coincide with the pin shape and pitch of a printing machine (not shown) used in the printing process.

The electrical unit 7 generates a drive signal S _M50− after the punching is completed, and outputs the drive signal S _M50− to the motor M50. Feed roller 24 and the conveying roller 25, as shown in FIG. 14, receives the driving force by the motor M50 is generated by the input drive signal S _M50-, housed punched of plate P ₂ from the punch unit 4 / conveying mechanism Rotate at a substantially constant speed in the direction of pulling out 2 (see arrow ι). Hereinafter, the rotation of the feed roller 24 and the transport roller 25 is referred to as negative rotation. By these negative rotations, the punched printing plate P ₁ is re-stored in the lower tray 22 by going backward through the first supply pass line (step S96).

Electrical circuitry section 7, a predetermined time t ₁ from the driving signal S _M50- output start has elapsed, regarded as punched in the plate P ₁ is re-housed in the lower tray 22, the output of the driving signal S _M50- Stop. Here, the fixed time t ₁ is determined as follows. As is apparent from FIG. 14 and the like, the length d ₁ of the first supply pass line is constant. Further, since the feed roller 24 and the transport roller 25 rotate negatively at a substantially constant speed, the reverse speed v _{1 of} the punched printing plate P ₂ is also substantially constant. Therefore, it can be considered that the one end of the punched printing plate P ₂ is re-contained in the lower tray 22 after the time (d ₁ / v ₁ ) has elapsed from the start of output of the drive signal S _M50- . Therefore, t ₁ is set in relation to (d ₁ / v ₁ ).

The electrical unit 7 outputs a drive signal S _M55− to each motor M55 after the plate P ₂ is stored again. The drive mechanism 3 receives the driving force generated by each motor M55 based on the input drive signal S _M55− and moves the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 from the upper position to the lower position. When the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 reaches the lower position, the sensor PH55 outputs a detection signal _SPH55 indicating that to the electrical unit 7. In response to the input detection signal _SPH55 , the electrical unit 7 stops the output of the drive signal _SM55- and stops the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 at the lower position (step S97). Accordingly, the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 and the recording drum 5 are disposed so as to face each other, and processing after unloading (step S99) described later can be executed.

As described above, at present, the printing drum P ₁ to be exposed this time is mounted on the recording drum 5. The electrical unit 7 outputs image data obtained by color-separating the document image to the exposure head 6 during the execution of steps S91 to S97. Further, the electrical circuitry section 7 generates a drive signal S _{M1 +} (or S _M1-) and the drive signal S _62, and outputs it to the motor M1 and the feed screw mechanism 62. As a result, the recording drum 5 rotates in the circumferential direction around its own axis in response to the driving force generated by the motor M1 in response to the input driving signal S _{M1 +} (or S _M1− ). Here, the drive signal S _{M1 +} or S _M1− will be described later. Further, the driving force generated by the feed screw mechanism 62 by the input drive signal S ₆₂ is transmitted to the exposure head 6 via the table 61. Thus, the exposure head 6 modulates based on the input image data on the printing plate P ₁ mounted on the recording drum 5 that rotates in the circumferential direction while being sent in a direction parallel to the axis of the recording drum 5. The exposed light beam is scanned to execute an exposure process (step S98).

When the punching process and the exposure process as described above are completed, unloading of the exposed printing plate P ₁ currently mounted on the recording drum 5 is executed (step S99). Hereinafter, this unloading process will be described in more detail.

In step S99, the electrical unit 7 first outputs a drive signal S _{M1 +} (or S _M1− ) generated internally to the motor M1 to rotate the recording drum 5. When the rotary encoder 54 detects that the rear end clamp 53 that fixes the other end of the printing plate P ₁ on the currently rotating recording drum 5 has reached the second angular position Z, it detects that fact. The signal S _RE3 is output to the electrical unit 7. The electrical unit 7 stops the output of the drive signal S _{M1 +} (or S _M1− ) in response to the input detection signal S _RE3, and causes the rear end clamp 53 on the recording drum 5 to be second as shown in FIG. It stops at the angular position Z.

After stopping the recording drum 5, the electrical unit 7 presses a squeeze roller (not shown) against the printing plate P ₁ fixed on the outer surface of the recording drum 5 and stops a blower (not shown) to perform vacuum suction. To release. The reason for releasing the vacuum suction is that the plate P ₁ needs to be reliably released from the outer surface of the recording drum 5 at the time of unloading. The reason why the squeeze roller is pressed is to prevent the printing plate P ₁ from separating from the recording drum 5. That is, as described later, during unloading, the rear end clamp 53 is removed from the outer surface of the recording drum 5, unless pressed against squeeze roller or the like to the plate P _1, one end side only just distal clamp 52 This is because the plate P ₁ to be fixed is detached from the recording drum 5 and correct unloading cannot be executed.

When the electrical unit 7 drives the third clamp driving unit after the blower is stopped, the rear end clamp 53 is removed from the outer surface of the recording drum 5 as indicated by an arrow ξ in FIG. 3 is held by the clamp drive unit. As a result, the other end of the printing plate P ₁ is released from the outer surface of the recording drum 5. Now, as shown in FIG. 16, the recording drum 5 and the unloading transport roller 26 are such that the printing plate P ₁ released from the outer surface is in contact with the two rollers constituting the transport roller 26. It arrange | positions so that it may be guide | induced to the part vicinity. Discharge path line of the plate P _1, as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 16 [rho, and starting from the release position of the plate P _1, and a substantial endpoint the contact position of the transfer roller 26.

After releasing the other end of the printing plate P ₁ , the electrical unit 7 generates a drive signal S _M1− and a drive signal S _M54 and outputs them to the motor M 1 and the motor M 54. The recording drum 5 _{rotates in the} direction indicated by the arrow σ in FIG. 17, that is, the direction in which the printing plate P ₁ can be unloaded from the outer surface of the recording drum 5 in response to the driving force generated by the motor M1 based on the input driving signal S _M1− . . Hereinafter, the rotation of the recording drum 5 in the arrow σ direction is referred to as negative rotation. Further, the transport roller 26 as the plate receiving section is transported in the direction indicated by the arrow τ in FIG. 17, that is, on the discharge path line, upon receiving the driving force generated by the motor M54 based on the input drive signal S _M54 . The coming printing plate P ₁ is rotated in a direction in which it can be stored in the upper tray 23. As a result, the printing plate P ₁ starts to be stored in the upper tray 23 as shown in FIG. When the rotary encoder 54 detects that the front end clamp 52 has reached the third angular position Q while the recording drum 5 is rotating, the rotary encoder 54 outputs a detection signal S _RE4 indicating that to the electrical unit 7. When the electrical unit 7 drives the second clamp drive unit in response to the input detection signal S _RE4 , each front end clamp 52 releases the clamp at one end of the printing plate P ₁ . As a result, one end of the printing plate P ₁ is released from the outer surface of the recording drum 5 and guided toward the transport roller 26. Thus, the exposed printing plate P ₁ is stored in the upper tray 23, and the unloading process ends.

When the unloading process as described above is completed, the unexposed printing plate P ₂ currently stored in the lower tray 22 is loaded (step S910). Hereinafter, this loading process will be described in more detail.

In step S910, the electrical unit 7 first generates the drive signal S _{M1 +} (or S _M1− ) and outputs it to the motor M1 in the same manner as described above. As a result, the recording drum 5 rotates in response to the driving force generated by the motor M1 by the input driving signal S _{M1 +} (or S _M1− ). When the rotary encoder 54 detects that the front end clamp 52 has reached the first angular position X while the recording drum 5 is rotating, the rotary encoder 54 outputs a detection signal S _RE1 indicating that to the electrical unit 7. In response to the input detection signal S _RE1 , the electrical unit 7 stops outputting the drive signal S _{M1 +} (or S _M1− ), and _moves the tip clamp 52 at the first angular position X as shown in FIG. Stop.

  Here, the first angular position X of the tip clamp 52 will be described with reference to FIG. The storage / conveyance mechanism 2 and the recording drum 5 positioned at the lower position have an arrangement relationship such that a straight line extending from a loading conveyance roller 25 serving as a printing plate discharge unit contacts (or intersects) the outer surface. Have. A contact point (or intersection point) between the straight line and the outer surface is defined as a first angular position X. Further, in FIG. 18, a line segment κ connecting the carrying roller 25 for loading and the tip clamp 52 located at the first angular position X is defined as a second supply pass line.

  Further, the relationship between the first angular position X and the second angular position Z will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 18, the rear end clamp 53 positioned at the second angular position Z is indicated by a dotted line for the sake of clarity. The first angular position X (end point of the first supply pass line) and the second angular position Z (start point of the discharge path line of the printing plate P) are shifted by a predetermined angle Φ. The predetermined angle Φ is related to the interval between the lower tray 22 and the upper tray 23 arranged vertically. As described above, since the first angular position X and the second angular position Z have a relationship shifted by a predetermined angle Φ, the second supply pass line and the discharge pass line are vertically arranged. It is formed between the roller 25 and the conveying roller 26 and the recording drum 5.

After stopping the output of the drive signal S _{M1 +} (or S _M1− ), the electrical unit 7 generates the drive signal S _{M50 +} and outputs it to the motor M50. As a result, the feed roller 24 and the transport roller 25 are rotated forward in the same manner as described above, and the printing plate P ₂ to be exposed next time is recorded from the lower tray 22 onto the second supply pass line as shown in FIG. Send out toward the drum 5 (see arrow λ). The fed printing plate P ₂ is positioned with respect to the recording drum 5 by the notch formed at one end thereof being inserted into the positioning pin 51.

The electrical unit 7 considers that one end of the printing plate P ₂ is positioned with respect to the recording drum 5 when a predetermined time t ₂ has elapsed from the start of output of the drive signal S _{M50 +} . Immediately after this, the first clamp driving unit drives the tip clamp 52, to clamp the one end of the plate P _2. Here, the fixed time t ₂ is determined as follows. As is clear from FIG. 19 and the like, the distance d ₂ of the second supply pass line is constant. Further, since the transport roller 25 and the like rotate forward at a substantially constant speed, the transport speed v ₂ of the printing plate P ₂ is also substantially constant. Accordingly, it can be considered that the one end of the printing plate P ₂ is positioned on the outer surface when t ₂ = (d ₂ / v ₂ ) has elapsed from the start of output of the drive signal S _{M50 +} . Therefore, t ₂ is set to a value equal to or greater than (d ₂ / v ₂ ).

When one end of the printing plate P ₂ is clamped, the electrical unit 7 generates the drive signal S _{M1 +} while continuing to output the drive signal S _{M50 +} and outputs it to the motor M1. Further, the recording drum 5 receives the driving force generated by the motor M1 based on the input driving signal S _{M1 +} , and in the direction indicated by the arrow μ in FIG. 20, that is, the printing plate P ₂ to be exposed next time is on its outer surface. It rotates in the direction that can be wound. Hereinafter, the rotation of the recording drum 5 in the direction of the arrow μ is referred to as normal rotation.

As a result, the printing plate P ₂ is wound around the outer surface of the recording drum 5 while being discharged from the lower tray 22 as shown in FIG. The plate P ₂ is pressed against the outer surface of the printing drum 5 by the squeeze roller while it is mounted on the recording drum 5, and is in close contact with the outer surface of the recording drum 5 by vacuum suction using the vacuum system described above. Eventually, the printing plate P ₂ to be exposed next time is completely discharged from the lower tray 22 by the rotation of the transport roller 25 and the recording drum 5. Then, as shown in FIG. 21, when the front end clamp 52 moves circularly by the angle Y from the first angular position X, the other end (rear end) of the printing plate P ₂ to be exposed next time is the third current position. It reaches directly below the rear end clamp 53 held by the clamp drive unit (that is, the second angular position Z). This angle Y is calculated | required by the electrical equipment part 7 as follows.

The angle Y can be easily obtained by (L + d ₃ ) / R when the length L of the printing plate P ₂ to be exposed is input to the cylindrical outer surface scanning device by operating the operation panel or the like by the operator. Here, d ₃ is the length of the arc from the first angular position X of the front end clamp 52 to the second angular position Z for the rear end clamp 53, and R is the length of the radius of the recording drum 5. That's it. These d ₃ and R are predetermined values.

When the length L of the printing plate P ₂ is not input by the operator, the cylindrical outer surface scanning device can automatically detect the length L and obtain the angle Y. That is, as is clear from FIG. 22, the distance d ₄ from the tip clamp 52 located at the first angular position X to the sensor PH50 is a predetermined value. Further, the speed v ₂ at which the printing plate P ₂ is conveyed on the second supply pass line is substantially constant. Accordingly, if the time t ₃ from when one end of the printing plate P reaches the first angular position X to when the sensor PH50 _stops outputting the detection signal SPH50 is measured, the length L of the printing plate P is obtained. , D ₄ + v ₂ · t ₃ . If the obtained length L of the printing plate P is substituted into the above equation (L + d ₃ ), the angle Y is obtained.

The electrical unit 7 obtains the angle Y as described above, and when the detection signal S _RE2 output when the rotary encoder 54 detects the angle Y is input, the output of the drive signal S _{M1 +} and the drive signal S _{M50 +} is stopped. . As a result, the other end (rear end) of the printing plate P ₂ to be exposed stops just below the held rear end clamp 53. Thereafter, when the electrical unit 7 drives the third clamp driving unit, each rear end clamp 53 is mounted on the outer surface of the recording drum 5 as indicated by an arrow ν in FIG. Thus, each rear end clamp 53 clamps the other end of the printing plate P ₂ and fixes the other end on the outer surface of the recording drum 5. As described above, the printing plate P is mounted on the outer surface of the recording drum 5 (step S910), and the loading process ends. FIG. 21 shows a state similar to FIG. In other words, in the next processing procedure (see FIG. 9), the cylindrical outer surface scanning apparatus handles the printing plate P ₂ currently mounted on the recording drum 5 as the printing plate P ₁ , and the printing plate P to be punched. If there is _{2, the process} is executed again from step S91.

As described above, the cylindrical outer surface scanning device includes two trays independent of each other, and has a characteristic configuration of the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 that moves up and down. That is, the storing / conveying mechanism 2 moves to the upper position during the exposure processing of the printing plate P ₁ and supplies the printing plate P ₂ stored in the lower tray 22 to the opposing punch unit 4. Upper tray 23 is reserved for housing the exposed plate P ₁ after the exposure process, not used during the exposure process and a punching process. Then, the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 moves to the lower position when the exposure process and the punching process are completed, and stores the exposed printing plate P ₁ in the upper tray 23 in cooperation with the opposing recording drum 5. Thereafter, the plate P ₂ of the lower tray 22 to be exposed next time is loaded. Thus, in this cylindrical outer surface scanning device, the exposure process for the printing plate P ₁ is performed in parallel while the punching process step is being performed for the printing plate P ₂ . Thereby, the working efficiency of the cylindrical outer surface scanning device can be improved.

  As is clear from the above description, in this cylindrical outer surface scanning apparatus, the plate supply tray (lower tray 22) and the plate discharge tray (upper tray 23) are arranged vertically. Therefore, the area occupied by the cylindrical outer surface scanning device can be reduced. Needless to say, one of the tray for supplying the printing plate and the tray for discharging the printing plate only needs to be arranged immediately above the other.

It is an exploded view which shows the structure of the cylindrical outer surface scanning apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a storage / conveyance mechanism 2 when a cross section taken along the alternate long and short dash line AA ′ shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the drive mechanism 3 when it sees from the direction of the arrow C shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the drive mechanism 3 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the drive mechanism 3 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The punch unit 4 when the cross section along the dashed-dotted line EE 'shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a recording drum 5 and its periphery when a cross section taken along the alternate long and short dash line GG ′ shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from the direction of an arrow H. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection relation of the electrical equipment part 7 and each structure part of this cylindrical outer surface scanning apparatus. 4 is a flowchart showing a punching process and a loading process among processes executed on the printing plate P by the cylindrical outer surface scanning device. It is a figure which shows the state of the cylindrical outer surface scanning apparatus at the time of the processing procedure start shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state when the printing plate P ₂ is supplied to the lower tray 22 of the storage / conveyance mechanism 2 in step S91. It is a figure explaining the 1st supply pass line formed at Step S93. It is a figure which shows the normal rotation of the feed roller 24 and the conveyance roller 25 in step S94. It is a figure which shows the negative rotation of the feed roller 24 and the conveyance roller 25 in step S96. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state when a rear end clamp 53 on the recording drum 5 is stopped at a second angular position Z. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state when the other end of the printing plate P ₁ is released from the outer surface of the recording drum 5. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state when the printing plate P ₁ is unloaded by the negative rotation of the recording drum 5. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st angular position X of the front-end | tip clamp. When loading the plate P _2, it is a view showing how the feed roller 24 and the conveying roller 25 rotates in the forward direction. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a printing plate P ₁ is wound around the outer surface of the recording drum 5 by forward rotation. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the front end clamp 52 is circularly moved from the first angular position X by an angle Y by the rotation of the recording drum 5. It is a figure for demonstrating how to obtain | require the angle Y by the automatic detection of the length L of a printing plate.

Explanation of symbols

2 Storage / Transport Mechanism 22 Lower Tray 23 Upper Tray 25 Loading Roller 26 Unloading Transport Roller 3 Drive Mechanism 4 Punch Unit 44 Punch 5 Recording Drum 6 Exposure Head 7 Electrical Unit

Claims (8)

A cylindrical outer surface scanning device that scans a light beam on a printing plate and performs drawing on the printing plate,
A recording drum that has a cylindrical outer surface on which the printing plate is mounted, and rotates about an axis of the cylinder;
An exposure unit that performs exposure by scanning the light beam on a printing plate mounted on an outer surface of the rotating recording drum while moving in the axial direction of the recording drum;
A punch unit that includes a punch for punching out the printing plate, and is disposed obliquely above the recording drum;
A first tray for supplying the printing plate toward the recording drum; and a second tray for receiving and storing the printing plate exposed by the exposure unit from the recording drum; and A storage / conveying mechanism that holds one of them in a positional relationship directly above one of the other and is positioned obliquely above the recording drum;
The printing plate can be moved between the storage / conveyance mechanism and the punch unit by moving the storage / conveyance mechanism up and down by rotating the storage / conveyance mechanism with respect to the punch unit and the recording drum. A cylindrical outer surface scanning device comprising: a drive mechanism that realizes a position and a second position where the printing plate can move between the storage / conveyance mechanism and the recording drum. In the second position,
A supply pass line for supplying the printing plate from the first tray toward the recording drum and a discharge pass line for discharging the printing plate from the recording drum toward the second tray are simultaneously formed. And
2. The cylindrical outer surface scanning device according to claim 1, wherein an end point of the supply pass line and a start point of the discharge pass line are set at different angular positions on the recording drum by a predetermined angle. The storage / transport mechanism, and a part of that is arranged to be positioned immediately above the recording drum, the cylindrical outer surface scanning apparatus according to claim 2.   The cylindrical outer surface scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the punch forms a punch hole that matches a shape and pitch of a pin included in a printing machine used in a printing process.   The cylindrical outer surface scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the punch forms a notch that matches an outer shape and pitch of a positioning pin fixedly mounted on the recording drum. A squeeze roller disposed in the vicinity of the recording drum;
The printing plate is stored in the second tray through the discharge path line while the squeeze roller presses the printing plate mounted on the recording drum onto the outer surface of the recording drum. The cylindrical outer surface scanning device according to claim 2. A squeeze roller disposed in the vicinity of the recording drum;
The squeeze roller presses the printing plate against the outer surface of the recording drum when the printing plate stored in the first tray is attached to the recording drum through the supply pass line. The cylindrical outer surface scanning device according to claim 2. The storage / conveyance mechanism includes two side plates and a rotating shaft that protrudes outward from the two side plates,
The first and second trays are arranged between the two side plates so that the second tray is located immediately above the first tray,
2. The cylindrical outer surface scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism rotates the storage / conveyance mechanism about the rotation shaft. 3.

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