JP4369638B2 - Automatic developing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic developing device provided with a preheating unit for heating a photosensitive lithographic printing plate prior to development processing. The present invention also relates to an automatic developing apparatus provided with a pre-water washing section in addition to the pre-heating section.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In photosensitive lithographic printing plates in which a photosensitive layer is formed on a support such as aluminum, it is unnecessary because a light-receiving portion and a non-light-receiving portion are formed in the photosensitive layer by exposure, and then development processing is performed with a developer. The photosensitive layer is removed to form an image.
[0003]
On the other hand, photosensitive lithographic printing plates include so-called photopolymer plates in which a photosensitive layer is formed on a support by a photoadhesive layer, a photopolymerization layer or the like, and the surface is protected by an overcoat layer. When this photopolymer plate is heated to a predetermined temperature, the photopolymerization layer of the light-receiving portion is firmly adhered to the support via the photoadhesive layer so as to increase the printing durability. Further, the overcoat layer covering the photopolymerization layer is dissolved by water.
[0004]
From this point, in the automatic developing apparatus for processing the photopolymer plate, a preheating unit and a pre-water washing unit are provided upstream of the development unit, and after the photopolymer plate is heated prior to the development processing, washing water is applied to the surface of the photopolymer plate. By brushing while supplying water, the overcoat layer is removed so that the photopolymerization layer in the non-light-receiving portion can be reliably removed during the development process.
[0005]
The preheating unit provided in such an automatic developing apparatus generally has a configuration in which the photopolymer plate is heated by the radiant heat emitted from the far infrared heater and the zone temperature in the preheating unit.
[0006]
By the way, the heating of the photopolymer plate in the preheating unit is controlled by the heating temperature and the heating time. However, if the heating is attempted in a short time, the zone temperature must be increased. When the zone temperature is increased, the rear end portion of the aluminum plate that passes through the preheating portion becomes hot due to the heat transfer of the aluminum plate that is the support for the photopolymer plate, and the temperature tends to exceed the upper limit temperature. .
[0007]
In addition, the photopolymer plate tends to wrinkle when it is heated and when it is sandwiched between a pair of conveying rollers while being heated. In addition, when water is attached to the pre-washing section by being fed to the pre-washing section in a state of being heated to a high temperature, the part to which the water is adhered remains as a stain.
[0008]
In order to avoid the occurrence of such a problem, if the heat treatment is performed in a state where the heating temperature is lowered, the heat treatment must be performed for a long time, and a large space is required in the preheating unit.
[0009]
On the other hand, the photopolymer plate has a different heat capacity depending on the thickness of the support and the plate size. Therefore, in order to heat the photopolymer plate at an appropriate temperature and time, it is necessary to adjust the heating temperature and the like according to the thickness of the support and the plate size. Yes, this adjustment work complicates the heat treatment of the photopolymer plate.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  The present invention has been made in view of the above facts,Prior to development processingAppropriate photosensitive lithographic printing plateInHeat treatmentProcessing such as processing is possibleNohNaoAn object is to provide a dynamic developing device.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an automatic developing device for carrying out a heat treatment in a preheating unit and then carrying out a development process in a developing unit while conveying an image-exposed photosensitive lithographic printing plate. Heating chamber forming part,in frontProvided in the heating chamber.Can move along the axial directionAxis of rotationInPivotedAnd a plurality of small rollers whose movement range is limited to a range corresponding to expansion and contraction of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate in the heating chamber by movement limiting means attached in pairs on both sides in the axial direction,A skewer roller that forms a conveyance path for supporting and conveying the photosensitive lithographic printing plate by a plurality of narrow rollers, and radiant heat toward the conveyance path that is provided in the heating chamber and formed by the skewer roller. Heating means capable of heating the photosensitive lithographic printing plate transported on the transport path by releasing.
[0012]
  According to this invention, the heating hand that emits radiant heat into the heating chamber forming the preheating unit.StepProvided.The photosensitive lithographic printing plate fed into the heating chamber is heated by the radiant heat emitted from the heating means.
[0013]
  Where the heating chamberAs a roller for forming a conveyance path, a skewer roller is used in which each of a plurality of narrow rollers is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction. Thus, even when the photosensitive lithographic printing plate changes in size or the like by being heated by the heating means, the stress of deformation of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate can be released, and the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is deformed. It can be prevented from occurring.
[0015]
  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roller pair of rollers for nipping and transporting the photosensitive lithographic printing plate fed from the heating chamber.LessAt least oneAbovepluralA narrow roller is provided to be movable in the axial direction.Skewer rollerTrying.
[0016]
  According to this invention, at least one roller of the roller pair that sandwiches the photosensitive lithographic printing plate fed from the heating chamber is provided with a plurality of rollers.NarrowrollerButIn the axial directionMade movableIt is a skewer type roller.
[0017]
Thereby, when a photosensitive lithographic printing plate is sent out from a heating chamber and shrinks, it can suppress that a deformation stress arises.
[0018]
  NarrowEach roller can be moved along the axial directionBecauseThus, the stress of deformation of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is surely released, and deformation such as kinking is not caused by the photosensitive lithographic printing plate after preheating.
[0019]
  The invention according to claim 3 includes the heating chamber andThe photosensitive lithographic printing plate fed from the heating chamber is sandwiched betweenLaura pairWhenBetweenIn addition,A cooling means for blowing cooling air toward the photosensitive lithographic printing plate sent out from the heating chamber;Provided.
[0020]
  According to the present invention, the cooling means is provided on the downstream side of the heating chamber, and the cooling of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate fed from the heating chamber is promoted by the cooling means. Thereby, the temperature of the high-temperature photosensitive lithographic printing plate sent out from the heating chamber can be quickly lowered to the room temperature level,In the front washing section,High temperature photosensitive lithographic printing plateWash waterBlots that occur when adhering can be prevented.
[0021]
  In addition, a high-temperature photosensitive lithographic printing plateWash waterSo that it will be cooled before contactingA photosensitive lithographic printing plate that is hotRapid coolingBy beingDeformation such as wrinkles can be prevented.
[0022]
  Moreover, the invention which concerns on Claim 4 is the said heating chamber.Provided in saidFormed by skewer rollerAgitating means for agitating the air in the heating chamber by blowing air in the heating chamber toward the conveyance path, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the heating chamber, and a detected temperature of the temperature detecting means Temperature maintaining control means for maintaining the heating chamber at a predetermined temperature by controlling the heating means and the stirring means..
[0023]
  According to this invention, the inside of the heating chamberStirring means for stirring air, temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the heating chamber, and temperature maintenance control means are provided. The temperature maintenance control unit controls the stirring unit and the heating unit so that the temperature in the heating chamber detected by the temperature detection unit is maintained at a predetermined temperature.
[0024]
  At this time, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate fed into the heating chamber is heated by the radiant heat emitted from the heating means, and air maintained at a predetermined temperature by the agitating means is blown to the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. The relatively low temperature air brought in from outside the heating chamber near the plate surface is removed, and heating is accelerated.
  In the present invention, any conventionally known method can be applied to control the heating means and the stirring means for maintaining the air in the heating chamber at a predetermined temperature.
[0025]
  On the other hand, the invention described in claim 5Provided on the downstream side of the heating chamber,While transporting photosensitive lithographic printing plateBy washing waterCleaning processProvided in the flushing section and the flushing section,Heat treatment in the pre-heating unitBeing fed by the roller pairConveying means for conveying the photosensitive lithographic printing plate obliquely downward while being in contact with conveying rollers arranged in a staggered mannerAnd including.
[0026]
  According to the present invention, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate fed from the preheating unit is conveyed by the conveying means formed by arranging the conveying rollers in a staggered manner. Photosensitive lithographic printing plate sent out at high temperature by being heated in the preheating sectionTheConveying forceofGrantofTherefore, if it is sandwiched by a pair of transport rollers, wrinkles and the like are generated in the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. Giving power. Therefore, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate does not cause finish defects such as wrinkles.
[0027]
  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the staggered transport rollers are a skewer roller facing one surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate and a rubber roller facing the other surface.WhenFormed bying.
[0028]
According to the present invention, the conveyance path of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is formed by the skewer type roller facing one surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate and the rubber roller facing the other surface. As a result, when the temperature of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate decreases and shrinks, a conveying force can be reliably applied without causing wrinkles or the like on the photosensitive lithographic printing plate.
[0029]
As the conveying means, it is preferable that the skew roller is opposed to the surface on the photosensitive layer side of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate and the rubber roller is opposed to the surface opposite to the photosensitive layer.
[0030]
  The invention according to claim 7 provides:Formed in the washing section by the conveying meansThe photosensitive lithographic printing plateTheDiagonally downwardCarryA pair of conveyance rollers provided on the downstream side of the inclined conveyance path, and on the upstream side of the pair of conveyance rollers,Toward the pair of transport rollersSlopeWasOn the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate conveyed in a stateAboveWater supply means for supplying cleaning waterMu
[0031]
According to this invention, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is inclined and conveyed between the conveying means in which the conveying rollers are arranged in a staggered manner and the conveying roller pair provided on the downstream side of the conveying means. The water supply means supplies cleaning water to the photosensitive lithographic printing plate transported along the inclined transport path.
[0032]
As a result, cleaning water remains on the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate between the upper roller of the conveying roller pair and the photosensitive lithographic printing plate inclined downward, so that the upper surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is reliably cleaned. The water-soluble overcoat layer can be easily dissolved by soaking in water. In addition, since there is a space between the cleaning water remaining on the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate supplied from the water supply means and the conveying rollers arranged in a staggered manner, the cleaning water adheres to these conveying rollers. In this way, it is possible to prevent the cleaning water from adhering to the photosensitive lithographic printing plate at a high temperature through these transport rollers and causing unevenness on the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. it can.
[0033]
  The invention according to claim 8 isProvided on the downstream side of the conveyance path for conveying the photosensitive lithographic printing plate obliquely downwardOne roller of the conveying roller pair is a brush roller that brushes the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate supplied with the cleaning water.The
[0034]
According to this invention, since the brush roller brushes the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate immersed in the cleaning water, a reliable cleaning effect can be obtained.
[0035]
  In this invention,In the washing section,Opposite to the lower surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate conveyed along the inclined conveying pathBe providedA supporting guide for supporting and guiding a rear end portion of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate provided opposite to the conveying path and fed out by the conveying means; and the inclined conveying path;,More preferably, a receiving plate for receiving the washing water flowing down from the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is provided between the surface of the washing water collected from the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. Scattering of the cleaning water supplied to the printing plate and bubbling of the cleaning water are prevented, and there is no occurrence of defective finish due to the cleaning water or cleaning water bubbles scattered on the photosensitive lithographic printing plate.
[0036]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[First Embodiment]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an automatic developing apparatus 10 applied to the first embodiment. This automatic developing device 10 is a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, an aluminum plate or the like is used as a support, and a photoadhesive layer and a photopolymerization layer are provided on one side of the support, and further on the photopolymerization layer. It is used for development processing of a so-called photopolymer plate (hereinafter referred to as “photopolymer plate 12”) on which an overcoat layer is overlaid.
[0037]
The photopolymer plate 12 is subjected to image exposure with a laser beam or the like in the state of this four-layer structure, whereby the polymerization reaction of the image portion of the photopolymerization layer is promoted. The photopolymer plate 12 is subjected to image exposure by scanning a laser beam based on digital image information by a setter or the like.
[0038]
In the automatic developing device 10, a pre-heating unit 14, a pre-water washing unit 16, a developing unit 18, a rinse unit 20, and a finisher unit 22 are formed along the conveyance direction of the photopolymer plate 12. The photopolymer plate 12 developed by the automatic developing device 10 is fed into the heating chamber 26 of the preheating unit 14 by being sandwiched between the insertion roller pair 24.
[0039]
A plurality of skewer rollers 28 are arranged in the heating chamber 26 in the preheating unit 14. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the skewer rollers 28 supports, for example, a short roller 96 with a rotation shaft 94 provided with a gap. In addition, E-rings 98 and the like are fitted into the rotating shaft 94 at a predetermined interval so as to sandwich the short roller 96 therebetween. Thus, each of the skewer rollers 28 is configured such that the short roller 96 can be slightly moved along the axis of the rotation shaft 94.
[0040]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the heating chamber 26, a conveying path for the photopolymer plate 12 is formed by the plurality of skewer rollers 28, and is sent into the heating chamber 26 by the insertion roller pair 24. The photopolymer plate 12 is conveyed toward the pre-water washing section 16 while being supported substantially horizontally by these skewer rollers 28.
[0041]
The preheating unit 14 is provided with a far-infrared heater 30 as a heating means in the heating chamber 26, so that the photopolymer plate 12 has a predetermined temperature when passing through the heating chamber 26. To be heated. Details of the preheating unit 14 will be described later.
[0042]
The pre-water washing section 16 is provided with a transport roller pair 36 on the preheating section 14 side, and a transport roller pair 38 on the developing section 18 side. As a result, the photopolymer plate 12 is sandwiched between the transport roller pair 36 and is transported toward the transport roller pair 38 while being drawn into the pre-water washing section 16. The pair of conveyance rollers 38 sends out the photopolymer plate 12 conveyed in the pre-water washing unit 16 toward the developing unit 18 while being inclined at a predetermined angle.
[0043]
In the pre-water washing section 16, a brush roller 40 and a backup roller 42 are disposed between the conveying roller pair 36 and 38, and a spray pipe 44 and a spray pipe 45 are disposed between the conveying roller pair 36 and the brush roller 40. Is arranged.
[0044]
In the pre-rinsing section 16, a post-water washing tank 32, a pre-water washing tank 34, and an overflow tank 70 are arranged in this order from the developing unit 18 side. Wash water for washing the photopolymer plate 12 is stored in the rear water wash tank 32 and the front water wash tank 34, and a part of the lower roller of the transport roller pair 38 is washed water in the rear water wash tank 32. Soaked in Moreover, the washing water in the pre-water washing tank 34 is supplied to the spray pipes 44 and 45.
[0045]
In the pre-water washing unit 16, the washing water in the pre-water washing tank 34 is supplied to the spray pipe 44 so that the washing water is discharged from the spray pipe 44 to the surface of the photopolymer plate 12. Thereby, the water-soluble overcoat layer on the surface of the photopolymer plate 12 is easily dissolved. Further, by supplying the cleaning water in the pre-water washing tank 34 to the spray pipe 45, the cleaning water is supplied from the spray pipe 45 to the brush roller 40.
[0046]
In this state, the photopolymer plate 12 is sandwiched between the brush roller 40 and the backup roller 42, and the surface of the photopolymer plate 12 is brushed by the brush roller 40, so that the photopolymer plate 12 is easily dissolved by the cleaning water discharged from the spray pipe 44. The overcoat layer that is present is removed by the wash water supplied by the spray pipe 45. Further, the washing water discharged from the spray pipe 45 is collected in the pre-water washing tank 34 together with the overcoat layer removed by the brush roller 40.
[0047]
In the pre-water washing unit 16, the photopolymer plate 12 brushed by the brush roller 40 is sent to the developing unit 18 while being sandwiched between the conveying roller pair 38. When the photopolymer plate 12 is not conveyed to the conveying roller pair 38, the upper roller of the conveying roller pair 38 is moved by the washing water in the post-water washing tank 32 that is pumped up by the lower roller of the conveying roller pair 38. Wet to clean the conveying roller pair 38.
[0048]
On the other hand, in the pre-rinsing section 16, for example, the processing amount (processing area, etc.) of the photopolymer plate 12 is detected, and when the processing amount reaches a predetermined value that is set in advance, refill. As a result, the excess washing water in the post-water washing tank 32 is overflowed to the pre-water washing tank 34 to replenish the pre-water washing tank 34 and the washing from the pre-water washing tank 34 to the overflow tank 70 is further performed. By overflowing the water, the overcoat layer removed from the photopolymer plate 12 and the washing water in which the overcoat layer is dissolved are discharged.
[0049]
As described above, the pre-water washing unit 16 replenishes the washing water by a cascade method, and supplies the washing water having a low concentration of the overcoat layer dissolved from the photopolymer plate 12 to the conveyance roller pair 38. 38 prevents the occurrence of conveyance failure due to adhesion of the components of the overcoat layer to 38.
[0050]
The developing unit 18 is provided with a developing tank 46 that stores a developing solution, and the conveying roller pair 38 feeds the photopolymer plate 12 toward the developing tank 46. When the photopolymer plate 12 is immersed in the developer, the non-light-receiving portion of the photopolymerized layer swells and can be removed. In the developing unit 18, the photopolymerization layer of the non-light-receiving part is removed from the photopolymer plate 12.
[0051]
A guide plate 48 is provided in the developing tank 46 on the entrance side of the photopolymer plate 12. Further, a brush roller 50 and a roller roller 52 are provided in the developing tank 46 on the downstream side of the guide plate 48. The roller 52 is a skewer roller in which a plurality of short rollers are pivotally supported at predetermined intervals along the axial direction of the rotation shaft, similarly to the skewer roller 28 disposed in the heating chamber 26. In addition, an E-ring or the like fitted into the rotation shaft so as to face both ends of the short roller can be slightly moved along the axial direction of the rotation shaft.
[0052]
The guide plate 48 guides the photopolymer plate 12 fed into the developing tank 46 between the brush roller 50 and the roller 52 while smoothly curving so as to draw a large arc when immersed in the developer.
[0053]
The brush roller 50 rotates while pinching the photopolymer plate 12 with the roller 52 at a predetermined pressure, and brushes the surface of the photopolymer plate 12. Thereby, in the photopolymer plate 12, the photopolymerization layer of the non-light-receiving portion swollen by the developer is removed by the brush roller 50. The brush roller 50 can reliably remove unnecessary non-light-receiving portions near the boundary between the light-receiving portions and the non-light-receiving portions.
[0054]
The developing unit 18 is provided with a conveyance roller pair 54 on the rinse unit 20 side. The conveying roller pair 54 sandwiches the photopolymer plate 12 sent out from the developing tank 46 while being brushed by the brush roller 50, and sends the photopolymer plate 12 to the rinsing unit 20. At this time, the conveying roller pair 54 also has a function of squeezing the developer from the surface of the photopolymer plate 12.
[0055]
The rinse unit 20 is provided with conveyance roller pairs 56 and 58, and the conveyance roller pairs 56 and 58 convey the photopolymer plate 12 fed into the rinse unit 20 in a substantially horizontal state.
[0056]
Further, spray pipes 60 and 62 are provided in the rinsing unit 20 between the conveying roller pairs 56 and 58. The spray pipes 60 and 62 are disposed above and below the photopolymer plate 12 conveyance path, and are directed to the front and back surfaces of the photopolymer plate 12 conveyed through the rinsing unit 20 as cleaning water as a rinse liquid. Is discharged. Thereby, the front and back surfaces of the photopolymer plate 12 are washed and sent to the finisher unit 22.
[0057]
The finisher unit 22 is provided with conveyance roller pairs 64 and 66, and the conveyance roller pairs 64 and 66 convey the photopolymer plate 12 fed to the finisher unit 22 in a substantially horizontal state.
[0058]
Further, the finisher portion 22 is provided with a spray pipe 68 between the conveying roller pairs 64 and 66. The spray pipe 68 is disposed above the transport path of the photopolymer plate 12 and discharges the finisher liquid toward the upper surface of the photopolymer plate 12 transported in the finisher portion 22. Thereby, the image forming surface of the photopolymer plate 12 is coated with the finisher liquid.
[0059]
The photopolymer plate 12 thus developed is subjected to a drying process by a drying device (not shown).
[0060]
Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 2, the heating chamber 26 of the preheating unit 14 has an inlet 72 formed on the insertion roller pair 24 side and an outlet 74 formed on the prewash unit 16 side. The roller 28 is rotatably disposed at a predetermined interval between the inlet 72 and the outlet 74.
[0061]
As a result, the photopolymer plate 12 fed into the heating chamber 26 by the insertion roller pair 24 is guided toward the outlet 74 in a substantially horizontal state while being supported by the skewer roller 28, and delivered to the transport roller pair 36. It is. Further, the conveying roller pair 36 sandwiches the photopolymer plate 12 and feeds it into the pre-water washing section 16 while pulling it out from the heating chamber 26.
[0062]
On the other hand, the far-infrared heater 30 provided as a heating means is provided on the inlet 72 side of the heating chamber 26. The far-infrared heater 30 is disposed along the width direction in which the longitudinal direction is orthogonal to the conveyance path of the photopolymer plate 12, and when the photopolymer plate 12 is inserted into the heating chamber 26 by the pair of insertion rollers 24 and faces each other, The entire region along the width direction of the photopolymer plate 12 can be heated. The far infrared heater 30 is covered with a cover 78 provided with a reflection plate 76 on the upper side.
[0063]
As a result, radiant heat is radiated from the far-infrared heater 30 toward the conveyance path of the photopolymer plate 12, and the air in the heating chamber 26 is heated. Further, when the photopolymer plate 12 is sent into the heating chamber 26, the photopolymer plate 12 is heated by the radiant heat radiated from the far infrared heater 30.
[0064]
A circulation fan 80 is provided above the center of the heating chamber 26. The circulation fan 80 is provided with a chamber 82 on the blowing side, and blows air from the heating chamber 26 into the heating chamber 26 by sending the air in the heating chamber 26 into the chamber 82.
[0065]
In the heating chamber 26, the circulation fan 80 is operated in a state where the far infrared heater 30 is radiating radiant heat, whereby the air inside the heating chamber 26 is stirred so as to have a uniform temperature while being heated. .
[0066]
The chamber 82 is configured to diffuse the blown air along the width direction of the photopolymer plate 12, which is a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the photopolymer plate 12.
[0067]
Further, the direction of the chamber 82 is directed to the upstream side in the conveying direction of the photopolymer plate 12 (the inlet 72 side of the heating chamber 26). Thus, while the photopolymer plate 12 entering from the inlet 72 is heated by the radiant heat of the far-infrared heater 30, the hot air in the heating chamber 26 is blown by the circulation fan 80, and the photopolymer brought from outside the heating chamber 26. The cold air on the surface of the plate 12 is removed so as to be scraped off. In the present embodiment, for example, the blowing direction of the warm air from the chamber 82 is set to approximately 45 ° with respect to the conveying direction of the photopolymer plate 12, but this blowing direction is the conveying direction of the photopolymer plate 12 On the other hand, it is preferably in the range of 30 ° to 80 °, but may be in any direction such as a direction along the transport direction and a direction orthogonal to the transport direction.
[0068]
On the other hand, the preheating unit 14 is provided with a cooling unit 84 on the downstream side of the heating chamber 26. In the cooling unit 84, a chamber 86 is provided above the conveyance path of the photopolymer plate 12 sent out from the outlet 74 of the heating chamber 26. The lower side of the chamber 86 has a duct shape, and cooling air is supplied to the chamber 86 from a cooling fan 88 provided as a cooling means.
[0069]
Thereby, the chamber 86 blows the cooling air supplied from the cooling fan 88 onto the photopolymer plate 12 drawn out from the heating chamber 26 while diffusing the cooling air so as to be substantially uniform along the width direction of the photopolymer plate 12. . The temperature of the photopolymer plate 12 drawn from the heating chamber 26 is lowered by blowing this cooling air.
[0070]
Further, in the conveying roller pair 36 provided in the pre-water washing unit 16, the upper roller 36A is a skewer type roller having substantially the same structure as the skewer type roller 28 in the preheating unit 28 described above.
[0071]
As a result, even if the support of the photopolymer plate 12 and the photosensitive layer shrink due to cooling by the cooling unit 84, the photopolymer plate 12 holds the photopolymer plate 12 while the photopolymer plate 12 is sandwiched and conveyed. The plate 12 is not wrinkled.
[0072]
The preheating unit 14 is provided with a heating controller 90, and the far infrared heater 30, the circulation fan 80 and the cooling fan 88 are connected to the heating controller 90.
[0073]
A temperature sensor 92 is provided in the heating chamber 26 of the preheating unit 14 as temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the heating chamber 26, and this temperature sensor 92 is connected to the heating controller 90. Yes.
[0074]
The heating controller 90 controls the operation of the far-infrared heater 30 and the circulation fan 80 so that the temperature in the heating chamber 26 becomes a predetermined temperature by the temperature sensor 92.
[0075]
The photopolymer plate 12 applied to the present embodiment has a heating temperature of 80 ° C. to 120 ° C. and a heating time of 8 seconds or longer, preferably 10 seconds or longer. The photopolymerization layer of the part is hardened accurately to increase the printing durability.
[0076]
From here, the heating controller 90 is set so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 92 is 120 ° C. or lower. That is, the heating controller 90 controls the temperature of the air in the heating chamber 26 so as not to exceed the upper limit temperature (120 ° C.) for heating the photopolymer plate 12.
[0077]
The automatic developing apparatus 10 is provided with a plate detection sensor (not shown) in the vicinity of the upstream side of the insertion roller pair 24. The plate detection sensor includes the insertion roller pair 24 by detecting the photopolymer plate 12. The drive of the roller for conveying the photopolymer plate 12 is started. At this time, the heating controller 90 operates the cooling fan 88 at a timing when the photopolymer plate 12 detected by the plate detection sensor is sent out from the outlet 74 of the heating chamber 26, and the rear end of the photopolymer plate 12 is conveyed. The operation of the cooling fan 88 is controlled by any conventionally known method such as stopping the cooling fan 88 at the timing when it is sent to the pre-water washing section 16 by the roller pair 36.
[0078]
In the automatic developing apparatus 10 configured as described above, when the photopolymer plate 12 subjected to image exposure is inserted into the pre-heating unit 14, the photopolymer plate 12 is heated and the photopolymerization layer of the light receiving unit is heated. The degree of polymerization is increased to increase the printing durability.
[0079]
The photopolymer plate 12 that has passed through the preheating unit 14 is sent to the pre-water washing unit 16, so that the overcoat layer on the surface is swollen by the washing water discharged from the spray pipe 44 and then brushed by the brush roller 40. The Thereby, the overcoat layer of the photopolymer plate 12 is removed.
[0080]
The brushed photopolymer plate 12 is sent to the developing unit 18 while being sandwiched between the pair of conveying rollers 38. At this time, in the pre-washing section 16, the photopolymer plate 12 is washed with the wash water pumped up from the post-wash tank 32 by the conveying roller pair 38, and the wash water is squeezed out.
[0081]
Further, the cleaning water containing the overcoat layer that has melted from the photopolymer plate 12 adheres to the conveying roller pair 38, but fresh cleaning water is pumped up from the rear water washing tank 32 by the lower roller of the conveying roller pair 38. Then, when the photopolymer plate 12 is not passing, the dirty cleaning water containing the components of the overcoat layer adhering to the conveying roller pair 38 is washed away. As a result, it is possible to prevent the photopolymer plate 12 sandwiched and transported by the pair of transport rollers 38 from slipping due to adhesion of the components of the overcoat layer having a slime to the transport roller pair 38, and to prevent transport failure. When the rotational driving of the roller pair 38 is stopped, it is possible to prevent the components of the overcoat layer from precipitating and adhering to the photopolymer plate 12 or scratching the photopolymer plate 12. .
[0082]
The photopolymer plate 12 that has been pre-washed in this way is sent to the developing unit 18 so that it is immersed in the developer in the developing tank 46 and the photopolymerization layer of the non-light-receiving part is swelled. By brushing by the brush roller 50, the swollen photopolymerization layer of the non-light-receiving portion is removed, and an image is formed by the exposed photopolymerization layer.
[0083]
The photopolymer plate 12 sent out from the developing unit 18 is expressed by spraying flushing water discharged from the spray pipes 60 and 62 while being conveyed in the rinsing unit 20 in a substantially horizontal state by the conveyance roller pairs 56 and 58. The back surface is cleaned, and the photopolymerized layer in the unexposed area is surely washed off.
[0084]
The photopolymer plate 12 that has been rinsed is applied with a finisher liquid (desensitizing liquid) that is discharged from the spray pipe 68 while being transported in the finisher unit 22 in a substantially horizontal state by the transport roller pairs 64 and 66. . As a result, the finisher liquid is coated on the image forming surface of the photopolymer plate 12 and is sent out from the automatic developing device 10.
[0085]
By the way, in the preheating unit 14, prior to the processing of the photopolymer plate 12, the far infrared heater 30 and the circulation fan 80 are operated based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 92, and the temperature of the air in the heating chamber 26 is changed. The upper limit temperature for heating the photopolymer plate 12 is maintained at 120 ° C.
[0086]
In the heating chamber 26, a photopolymer plate 12 conveyance path is formed by a plurality of skewer rollers 28. The transport path of the photopolymer plate 12 in the heating chamber 26 is set with a distance (length of the transport path) so that the heating time is 10 seconds or more from the transport speed of the photopolymer plate 12.
[0087]
As a result, the photopolymer plate 12 sandwiched between the insertion roller pair 24 is conveyed in the heating chamber 26 in a substantially horizontal state with the upper surface side opened while being supported by the skewer roller 28.
[0088]
A far infrared heater 30 is provided in the heating chamber 26 on the inlet 72 side, and the photopolymer plate 12 is radiated from the far infrared heater 30 by being inserted into the heating chamber 26 from the inlet 72. Heated by radiant heat. Further, air (warm air) heated in the heating chamber 26 by the circulation fan 80 is blown against the photopolymer plate 12 inserted into the heating chamber 26 so as to face the conveying direction of the photopolymer plate 12.
[0089]
Thereby, the photopolymer plate 12 is effectively removed so that air having a relatively low temperature in the vicinity of the surface brought in from the outside of the heating chamber 26 is scraped off, and heating to a predetermined temperature is promoted. At this time, the temperature of the air in the heating chamber 26 that is the temperature of the hot air blown out by the circulation fan 80 is limited to the upper limit of the temperature for heating the photopolymer plate 12, so that the photopolymer plate 12 is Although it is rapidly heated to this upper limit temperature, even if the heating temperature by the far infrared heater 30 is high, the temperature of the hot air, that is, the upper limit of the heating temperature is not exceeded.
[0090]
The photopolymer plate 12 heated by the far-infrared heater 30 is further heated by the air in the heating chamber 26 maintained at a predetermined temperature and the air in the heating chamber 26 by being conveyed in the heating chamber 26. It is conveyed while receiving heat from the skewer roller 28.
[0091]
Thereby, the photopolymer plate 12 is sent out from the heating chamber 26 in a predetermined temperature range (80 ° C. to 120 ° C.) in a predetermined time while being heated. Therefore, the photopolymer plate 12 sent out from the heating chamber 26 increases the degree of polymerization of the photopolymerization layer of the light receiving portion and is fixed firmly, thereby improving the printing durability and clearly defining the boundary with the non-light receiving portion. Therefore, it is possible to reliably remove only the photopolymerization layer of the non-light receiving portion at the developing portion.
[0092]
At this time, in the heating chamber 26, the photopolymer plate 12 is transported while being supported by the skew roller 28 without being sandwiched by a roller pair or the like, so that the photopolymer plate 12 is pinched to cause wrinkles or the like. There is no end.
[0093]
That is, if the photopolymer plate 12 is sandwiched between the roller pairs in the heating chamber 26, the expansion (mainly expansion) of the photopolymer plate 12 due to the heating is forcibly suppressed. In order to support, the expansion and contraction of the photopolymer plate 12 is suppressed, and wrinkles and the like are not deformed.
[0094]
In the preheating unit 26, in addition to the far-infrared heater 30, the air in the heating chamber 26 is circulated to heat the photopolymer plate 12 using the air, so that the photopolymer plate 12 is supported. It is possible to suppress the heating temperature from changing depending on the thickness and size of the body.
[0095]
That is, even if the air around the photopolymer plate 12 is cooled by the photopolymer plate 12, even if the thickness and size of the photopolymer plate 12 are different because new air is supplied around the photopolymer plate 12. The air around the photopolymer plate 12 conveyed through the heating chamber 26 does not change in temperature, and the photopolymer plate 12 is maintained at an appropriate heating temperature.
[0096]
On the other hand, the preheating unit 14 is provided with a cooling unit 84 between the heating chamber 26 and the pre-water washing unit 16 before the photopolymer plate 12 drawn from the heating chamber 26 is sent to the pre-water washing unit 16. In addition, cooling air is blown onto the surface of the photopolymer plate 12.
[0097]
As a result, the temperature of the photopolymer plate 12 heated in the heating chamber 26 is quickly lowered and sent to the pre-water washing unit 16, so that the washing water is applied to the surface of the photopolymer plate 12 in the pre-water washing unit 16. Even if it adheres, the generation | occurrence | production of the spot of the photopolymerization layer by this washing water can be prevented reliably.
[0098]
Therefore, when the photopolymer plate 12 is sent from the preheating unit 14 to the pre-water washing unit 16, in order to secure the cooling time of the photopolymer plate 12, it is not necessary to lengthen the conveyance path. It becomes possible to form between the pre-washing parts 16 compactly.
[0099]
As described above, in the automatic developing device 10 applied to the present embodiment, the pre-heating unit 14 can heat the photopolymer plate 12 in an appropriate temperature range regardless of the size and the thickness of the support. The space for heating the photopolymer plate 12 can be minimized. In other words, it is possible to form the preheating unit 14 with such a size that the heating time according to the conveyance speed can be obtained without changing the conveyance speed of the photopolymer plate 12 which affects the processing steps after the preheating unit 14 It becomes.
[0100]
The first embodiment described above shows one application example of the present invention, and does not limit the configuration of the present invention. For example, in the first embodiment, the far-infrared heater 30 is provided as the heating means. However, the heating means is not limited to this, and the heating means may heat the air in the heating chamber 26 and the photopolymer plate 12 by radiant heat. Any configuration can be applied.
[0101]
In the first embodiment, two skewer rollers are provided on the upper side of the transport path of the photopolymer plate 12 between the pre-heating unit 14 and the pre-water washing unit 16, and 2 below the transport path. Although the rubber roller is provided between the skewer rollers of the book, the present invention is not limited to this. The deformation of the photopolymer plate 12 heated by the preheating unit 14 is sent out from the preheating unit 14 and cooled. It may be configured so that it is conveyed while releasing stress, and a single rubber roller is provided below the conveyance path of the photopolymer plate 12, and a plurality of short rollers are formed on the upper side of the conveyance path so as to form a pair with the rubber roller. Then, only one skewer roller in which the entire length of the roller is shorter than that of the rubber roller may be provided only in the center portion in the width direction of the conveyance path.
[0102]
In the first embodiment, the circulation fan 80 is used as the stirring means and the cooling fan 88 is used as the cooling means. However, the stirring means and the cooling means are not limited to this. Arbitrary configurations are applied as long as the temperature is uniformly stirred and the hot polymer is supplied to the surface of the photopolymer plate 12 when the photopolymer plate 12 is fed. be able to. As the cooling means, any configuration can be applied as long as the photopolymer plate 12 heated to a predetermined temperature can be accurately cooled before being sent to the pre-water washing section 16.
[0103]
In the automatic developing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, the steps of the pre-water washing section 16 to the finisher section 22 after the pre-heating section 14 are not limited to the photopolymer plate 12, but photosensitive lithographic printing requiring pre-heating. A configuration tailored to the plate can be applied.
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and in the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and described. Is omitted.
[0104]
FIG. 4 shows a main part of the automatic developing apparatus 100 applied to the second embodiment. The automatic developing apparatus 100 is provided with a pre-water washing section 102 in place of the pre-water washing section 16 of the automatic developing apparatus 10 described above.
[0105]
In the following, description will be given using the preheating unit 14 on the upstream side of the pre-water washing unit 102. However, the automatic developing device 100 according to the second embodiment is not limited to the preheating unit 14, Any configuration can be applied as long as the photopolymer plate 12 can be heated to an appropriate temperature. Further, any configuration that performs a predetermined process on the photopolymer plate 12 can be applied to the developing unit 18 and the subsequent sections.
[0106]
The pre-water washing unit 102 includes a post-water washing tank 104 on the developing unit 18 side and a pre-water washing tank 106 on the pre-heating unit 14 side. In addition, the pre-water washing section 102 is provided with an overflow tank 108 on the pre-heating section 14 side of the pre-water washing tank 106.
[0107]
Also in the pre-water washing section 102, fresh water for washing is supplied to the post-water washing tank 104, and water is supplied by a cascade system in which excess washing water in the post-water washing tank 104 overflows to the pre-water washing tank 106. It has become. Further, the excess washing water in the pre-water washing tank 106 is discharged by flowing into the overflow tank 108 together with the components of the overcoat layer removed from the photopolymer plate 12.
[0108]
On the other hand, in the pre-water washing unit 102 of the automatic developing apparatus 100, the conveyance rollers 110, 112, and 114 are disposed on the pre-heating unit 14 side. The conveyance rollers 110, 112, and 114 are opposed to the upper surface side of the photopolymer plate 12, and the conveyance roller 112 is opposed to the lower surface side of the photopolymer plate 12 between the conveyance rollers 110 and 114. Are arranged in a zigzag pattern. Further, the transport roller 112 is provided so that the upper end portion enters between the lower end portions of the transport rollers 110 and 114.
[0109]
Thereby, the photopolymer plate 12 sent out from the pre-heating unit 14 passes between the transport rollers 110 and 114 and the transport roller 112. At this time, since the conveyance roller 112 enters between the conveyance rollers 110 and 114, the photopolymer plate 12 is curved between the conveyance rollers 110 and 114 so as to be convex upward by the conveyance roller 112. The
[0110]
A rubber roller is used as the transport roller 112, and the photopolymer plate 12 is reliably brought into contact with the transport roller 112 by the transport rollers 110 and 114 when the photopolymer plate 12 passes between the transport rollers 110 to 114. Is granted.
[0111]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the transport rollers 110 and 114 are skewer rollers like the transport roller 28, and a roller 118 that is rotatably supported on the rotary shaft 116 at a predetermined interval is provided. The E-rings are fitted to both ends, so that they can be slightly slid and moved along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 116.
[0112]
As a result, in the pre-water washing unit 102, even if the photopolymer plate 12 heated by the pre-heating unit 14 contracts due to a temperature drop, the rollers 118 of the transport rollers 110 and 114 move according to the contraction. Even if nipped and conveyed by 110 and 114 and the conveying roller 112, generation of wrinkles and the like is reliably prevented. Further, since the pre-water washing unit 102 uses the conveying rollers 110 and 114 as skewer rollers, the photopolymer plate 12 is conveyed in the direction intersecting the conveying direction without being sandwiched over the entire surface. The generation of wrinkles due to sandwiching and pressing of the photopolymer plate 12 fed from is prevented.
[0113]
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pre-rinsing unit 102 is provided with a conveying roller pair 120 on the developing unit 18 side, and between the conveying roller 114 and the conveying roller pair 120, An idle roller 122 that faces the brush roller 40 is provided.
[0114]
The conveying roller pair 120 has the lower end of the lower roller 120A immersed in the washing water in the post-water washing tank 104. As a result, the conveying roller pair 120 rotates when the photopolymer plate 12 does not pass. The surface of the conveyance roller 120 is washed, and the occurrence of conveyance failure such as the photopolymer plate 12 slipping due to the components of the overcoat layer that is eluted from the photopolymer plate 12 and adheres to the pair of conveyance rollers 120 is prevented. .
[0115]
The pre-water washing unit 102 conveys the photopolymer plate 12 toward the space between the brush roller 40 and the idle roller 122 while applying a conveyance force to the photopolymer plate 12 between the conveyance rollers 110 to 114. 40. The photopolymer plate 12 is conveyed substantially horizontally between the idle roller 122 and the conveying roller pair 120.
[0116]
Spray pipes 44 and 45 are provided between the transport roller 114 and the brush roller 40 in the pre-water washing unit 102. The spray pipe 45 discharges cleaning water toward the brush roller 40, and the spray pipe 44 discharges cleaning water toward the photopolymer plate 12 conveyed between the conveyance roller 114 and the brush roller 40.
[0117]
On the other hand, in the pre-water washing unit 102, a predetermined step is provided between the conveyance path between the pre-heating unit 14 and the conveyance rollers 110 to 114 and the conveyance path between the brush roller 40 and the conveyance roller pair 120. .
[0118]
The transport rollers 110 to 114 are arranged such that the transport roller 112 protrudes between the transport rollers 110 and 114 and the lower tangent line of the transport rollers 110 and 114 is inclined downward toward the downstream side. The photopolymer plate 12 sent out substantially horizontally from the section 14 is sent out obliquely downward. Thus, the pre-water washing unit 102 sends the photopolymer plate 12 between the brush roller 40 and the idle roller 122.
[0119]
The spray pipe 44 drops cleaning water toward the surface (upper surface) of the photopolymer plate 12 that is inclined and conveyed downward between the conveying roller 114 and the brush roller 40. As a result, the photopolymer plate 12 reaches between the brush roller 40 and the idle roller 122 with cleaning water stored on the upper surface, and is brushed by the brush roller 40.
[0120]
That is, in the pre-water washing unit 102 of the automatic developing device 10, the surface of the photopolymer plate 12 is sent from the surface of the photopolymer plate 12 to the brush roller 40 and the idle roller 122 while being immersed in the wash water in advance. The removal of the water-soluble overcoat layer is promoted.
[0121]
The time for which the surface of the photopolymer plate 12 is brushed by the brush roller 50 is mainly determined by the conveyance speed of the photopolymer plate 12 and the inclination angle of the photopolymer plate 12 between the conveyance roller 114 and the brush roller 40. . That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the inclination angle of the conveyance path of the photopolymer plate 12 is such that the step h of the conveyance path and the position where the conveyance roller 112 contacts the photopolymer plate 12 and the brush roller 40 to the photopolymer plate 12. It is determined by the horizontal distance d between the contact position.
[0122]
Further, in the pre-water washing section 102, the position of the washing water dripping from the spray pipe 44 is mainly set so that the photopolymer plate 12 is immersed in the washing water for a predetermined time before the brush roller 40 brushes. Is set based on the transport speed.
[0123]
In the pre-water washing unit 102, the photopolymer plate 12 is transported while being inclined so that the upstream side from the brush roller 40 is upward, so that washing water collects between the upper surface of the photopolymer plate 12 and the brush roller 40. I have to. That is, in the pre-water washing unit 102, the washing water is accumulated between the inclined photopolymer plate 12 and the brush roller 40 on the upstream side of the brush roller 40.
[0124]
Thus, the photopolymer plate 12 is soaked in the washing water and then brushed by the brush roller 40, and the water-soluble overcoat layer is efficiently and reliably removed.
[0125]
Here, in the second embodiment, as an example, when the conveyance speed v of the photopolymer plate 12 is 1700 mm / min, the step h is 10 mm or more (h ≦ 10 mm), and the horizontal distance d is 80 mm or more (d ≦ 80 mm).
[0126]
Further, in the pre-water washing unit 102, the horizontal distance d is greater than the holding point of the photopolymer plate 12 by the brush roller 40 and the idle roller 122.₀The washing water is dripped at the position. In the pre-rinsing section 102 applied to the second embodiment, this horizontal distance d₀From the transport speed v = 1700 mm / min so that the time for which the photopolymer plate 12 is immersed in the washing water is about 2.3 seconds.₀= 65 mm).
[0127]
On the other hand, the pre-wash unit 102 is provided with a guide plate 124 below the conveying roller 114 as a support guide. The guide plate 124 is inclined downward along the conveyance direction of the photopolymer plate 12, and the front end and the intermediate portion of the photopolymer plate 12 in the conveyance direction may contact the conveyance roller 112 unnecessarily. Not separated. Further, the lower end of the guide plate 124 reaches a position slightly lower than the height of the conveyance path of the photopolymer plate 12 fed from between the brush roller 40 and the idle roller 122 between the conveyance roller 114 and the brush roller 40. Yes.
[0128]
Accordingly, in the pre-water washing unit 102, when the photopolymer plate 12 is conveyed to the brush roller 40 and the idle roller 122 while the washing water is stored on the upper surface, the rear end portion of the photopolymer plate 12 is moved to the conveyance roller 112. When it comes off, it abuts on the guide plate 124 and is guided while being supported by the guide plate 124. At this time, the guide plate 124 reliably prevents the rear end of the photopolymer plate 12 from drooping greatly due to the weight of the cleaning water on the upper surface and the cleaning water flowing down and adhering to the transport roller 112.
[0129]
As a result, the cleaning water containing the components of the overcoat layer adhering to the conveying roller 112 adheres to the back surface of the photopolymer plate 12, so that the photopolymer plate 12 slips between the conveying roller 122 during conveyance. There is no possibility that the photopolymer plate 12 gets dirty.
[0130]
As the guide plate 124, any shape may be applied as long as the rear end of the photopolymer plate 12 hangs down and the washing water can be reliably prevented from flowing from the surface of the photopolymer plate 12. Can do.
[0131]
In the pre-wash unit 102, a guide plate 126 is provided in the pre-wash tank 106 as a receiving plate. The guide plate 126 is disposed between the conveying roller 112 and the idle roller 122, and is inclined so that the end on the idle roller 122 side is downward. Further, the guide plate 126 has a size larger than the size in the width direction of the photopolymer plate 12.
[0132]
As a result, the cleaning water supplied onto the photopolymer plate 12 falls onto the guide plate 126 from both end portions in the width direction of the photopolymer plate 12 and the rear end portion of the photopolymer plate 12. The water flowing down from the top of the photopolymer plate 12 is prevented from directly hitting the surface of the cleaning water stored in the front water washing tank 106. Yes.
[0133]
That is, since the washing water in the pre-water washing tank 106 contains the components of the overcoat layer removed from the surface of the photopolymer plate 12, foaming is likely to occur. In particular, the cleaning water is liable to foam when the component of the overcoat layer exceeds 2% by weight. At this time, in the automatic developing apparatus 100, the guide plate 126 is provided in the pre-water washing unit 102 to prevent the washing water on the photopolymer plate 12 from dropping directly onto the washing water level in the pre-water washing tank 106. By doing so, foaming is suppressed.
[0134]
As the guide plate 126, any shape can be applied as long as it can receive the washing water flowing down from the photopolymer plate 12.
[0135]
In the automatic developing apparatus 100, the fresh water is supplied into the post-water washing tank 104 according to the processing amount (processing area) of the photopolymer plate 12, so that the washing water in the post-water washing tank 104 is of course the front water. The component concentration of the overcoat layer in the washing water in the washing tank 106 is prevented from exceeding 2% (2% by weight).
[0136]
In the automatic developing apparatus 100 configured as described above, the photopolymer plate 12 preheated by the preheating unit 14 for a predetermined time and temperature is sent to the pre-water washing unit 102. A cooling unit 84 is provided between the pre-heating unit 14 and the pre-water washing unit 102 to promote cooling of the photopolymer plate 12 fed to the pre-water washing unit 102, and the washing water is on the surface of the photopolymer plate 12. Occurrence of wrinkles, partial processing unevenness, and the like due to being abruptly cooled by adhering to the surface may be prevented.
[0137]
In the pre-water washing unit 102, the photopolymer plate 12 fed from the pre-heating unit 14 is conveyed by conveyance rollers 110 to 114 arranged in a staggered manner. Since the conveying rollers 110 and 114 are skewer rollers between the conveying rollers 110 to 114, the conveying force is surely applied to the photopolymer plate 12 without sandwiching the photopolymer plate 12 in the direction intersecting the conveying direction. Is granted. Thereby, wrinkles or the like caused by sandwiching the photopolymer plate 12 heated by the preheating unit 14 over the entire surface in the direction intersecting the transport direction by the transport roller pair will not occur.
[0138]
Further, in the pre-water washing unit 102, the photopolymer plate 12 is sent out while being inclined obliquely downward from between the conveying rollers 112 and 114. Moreover, in the pre-water washing part 102, washing water is dripped from the spray pipe 44 toward the upper surface of the photopolymer plate 12 moving in an inclined state.
[0139]
This washing water accumulates on the photopolymer plate 12 on the upstream side of the brush roller 40 because the photopolymer plate 12 is inclined downward toward the brush roller 40. Further, the spray pipe 44 drops the cleaning water at a predetermined position set in advance.
[0140]
As a result, cleaning water accumulates on the photopolymer plate 12 on the upstream side of the brush roller 40. The photopolymer plate 12 is immersed in the cleaning water for a predetermined time and then brushed by the brush roller 40 to ensure water The characteristic overcoat layer is removed.
[0141]
The brushed photopolymer plate 12 is transported substantially horizontally between the brush roller 40 and the idle roller 122 toward the transport roller pair 120, and the cleaning water is sent out to the developing unit 18 while being squeezed by the transport roller pair.
[0142]
As described above, in the automatic developing device 100, the photopolymer plate 12 that has been preheated is conveyed without causing wrinkles and the like, and the overcoat layer is reliably removed from the surface of the photopolymer plate 12 to thereby develop the developing unit 18. Can be sent to.
[0143]
In particular, in the pre-water washing unit 102, the washing water is poured onto the surface of the photopolymer plate 12 while the photopolymer plate 12 is transported so that the brush roller 40 side is downward, thereby washing water on the photopolymer plate 12. Therefore, the surface of the photopolymer plate 12 can be immersed in washing water to swell the water-soluble overcoat layer and then brushed. Thereby, the overcoat layer can be reliably removed by the brush roller 40.
[0144]
Further, in the pre-water washing section 102, the pre-heating section 14 side of the photopolymer plate 12 to which the washing water is supplied from the spray pipe 44 is inclined so that the washing water supplied to the photopolymer plate 12 becomes photo The polymer plate 12 does not flow out to the preheating unit 14 side, and the time during which the cleaning water is partially attached does not change. As a result, the cleaning water adheres to the conveying roller 114 and the like, and after the photopolymer plate 12 is discharged from the pre-heating unit 14, a part of the photopolymer plate 12 is partially heated in a state where the temperature is not so high. It can be prevented that the cleaning water adheres to the surface of the photopolymer plate 12 to cause unevenness and deteriorate the finished quality.
[0145]
On the other hand, the washing water supplied from the spray pipe 44 to the photopolymer plate 12 falls into the pre-water washing tank 106 from both ends in the width direction of the photopolymer plate 12 or from the rear end of the photopolymer plate 12 being conveyed. At this time, the pre-water washing tank 106 is provided with an inclined guide plate 126, and the washing water falling from the photopolymer plate 12 is received by the guide plate 126, thereby washing the photopolymer plate 12 from falling. Water prevents the cleaning water from bubbling by directly striking the surface of the cleaning water in the pre-water washing tank 126.
[0146]
Further, since the guide plate 126 is inclined so that the pre-heating unit 14 side becomes higher, the cleaning water dropped from the photopolymer plate 12 to the guide plate 126 is scattered to the pre-heating unit 14 side, and the photopolymer plate 12 can be prevented from adhering. As a result, it is possible to prevent the scattered cleaning water from adhering to the surface of the photopolymer plate 12 and causing a defective finish such as unevenness on the surface of the photopolymer plate 12.
[0147]
Further, the rear end of the photopolymer plate 12 may hang down by passing between the conveying rollers 112 and 114. In particular, the dripping of the washing water on the surface of the photopolymer plate 12 tends to cause a large sag, and the washing water on the surface of the photopolymer plate 12 is caused by the dripping at the rear end of the photopolymer plate 12. It flows down from the rear end at a time, and it scatters to the surroundings or bubbles cleaning water.
[0148]
On the other hand, a guide plate 124 is provided in the pre-water washing unit 102 along the inclined conveyance path of the photopolymer plate 12 from the vicinity of the conveyance roller 112. As a result, the rear end of the photopolymer plate 12 removed from the conveying roller 112 abuts against the guide plate 124 to prevent dripping. Therefore, the washing water does not flow down from the rear end of the photopolymer plate 12 at the same time, and the rear end of the photopolymer plate 12 is also placed between the brush roller 40 and the idle roller 122 in a state where it is immersed in the washing water in advance. The overcoat layer can be reliably removed up to the rear end of the photopolymer plate 12.
[0149]
As described above, in the preheating unit 102 of the automatic developing apparatus 100 applied to the second embodiment, the cleaning water is unnecessarily added to the photopolymer plate 12 in a high temperature state by being heated by the preheating unit 14. By adhering, it is possible to reliably prevent the traces of the adhering cleaning water from appearing unevenly and to efficiently submerge the overcoat layer of the photopolymer plate 12 in the cleaning water. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the quality of the finished photopolymer plate 12 from being deteriorated in the pre-water washing stage.
[0150]
In the present embodiment described above, skewer-shaped transport rollers 110 and 114 are disposed above the transport path of the photopolymer plate 12 and the rubber transport rollers 112 are staggered on the upstream side of the pre-water washing section 102. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 (A), before being brought into contact with the cleaning water that is sandwiched between the transport rollers 112 and 114 and discharged from the spray pipes 44 and 45, A conveyance roller using skewer-shaped conveyance rollers 130 and 132 disposed on the lower side of the conveyance path of the photopolymer plate 12 and a rubber roller disposed on the upper side of the conveyance path so as to sandwich and convey the photopolymer plate 12 134 may form a staggered conveyance path.
[0151]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, skewer-shaped transport rollers 130 and 132 may be disposed on the upper side of the transport path of the photopolymer plate 12, and the transport roller 134 may be disposed on the lower side. Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, a skewer-shaped conveyance roller 130 and a conveyance roller 134 using a rubber roller may be arranged in pairs on the downstream side of the conveyance rollers 110, 112, and 114.
[0152]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, a skewer-shaped conveyance roller 138 and a conveyance roller 140 using a rubber roller are arranged on the upstream side of the conveyance roller 110, and the conveyance rollers 110 and 112 are sandwiched while sandwiching the photopolymer plate 12. You may make it send in between.
[0153]
That is, any configuration can be applied as long as a rubber roller is disposed on one side of the conveyance path of the photopolymer plate 12 and a skewer-shaped conveyance roller is provided on the other side corresponding to the rubber roller.
[0154]
Moreover, it shows an example of the present invention and does not limit the configuration of the present invention. The present invention can be applied to an automatic developing apparatus having an arbitrary configuration provided with a pre-heating unit and a pre-water washing unit for performing pre-heating and pre-water washing on the photosensitive planographic printing plate.
[0155]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate can be heated in an appropriate temperature range regardless of the size of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate and the thickness of the support. In addition, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that a space for performing preheating of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate can be minimized and the apparatus can be compactly formed.
[0156]
Further, in the present invention, by transporting the photosensitive lithographic printing plate at an inclination, cleaning water can be stored between the roller on the downstream side of the inclination and the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and more reliable photosensitivity. A lithographic printing plate can be washed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic developing apparatus applied to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part of a preheating unit to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of a skewer roller applied to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part of an automatic developing device applied to a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of a photopolymer plate conveyance path between a pre-heating unit and a pre-water washing unit according to a second embodiment.
FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are schematic views showing other configurations of the photopolymer plate conveyance path between the preheating unit and the pre-water washing unit, respectively.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing another configuration of the photopolymer plate conveyance path between the pre-heating unit and the pre-water washing unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 100 Automatic developing device
12 Photopolymer plate (photosensitive lithographic printing plate)
14 Preheating section
16, 102 Pre-water washing section
18 Development part
26 Heating chamber
28 Skewer roller
30 Far-infrared heater (heating means)
80 Circulation fan (stirring means)
88 Cooling fan (cooling means)
90 Heating controller (heating means, temperature maintenance control means)
92 Temperature sensor (detection means)
110, 114 Conveying roller (conveying means, skewer roller)
112 Conveying roller (conveying means, rubber roller)
124 Guide plate (support guide)
126 Guide plate (back plate)

Claims (10)

An automatic developing device for carrying out a development process in a developing unit after a heat treatment in a preheating unit while conveying a photosensitive lithographic printing plate subjected to image exposure,
A heating chamber for forming the preheating unit;
Provided in the heating chamber, each is supported by a movable rotary shaft in the axial direction Rutotomoni, the photosensitive range of movement by the movement limiting means mounted on both sides to a pair of axially with the heating chamber a skewer rollers forming a conveying path comprising a plurality of narrow rollers which is limited to a range corresponding to the expansion and contraction of the lithographic printing plate supporting and carrying the photosensitive planographic printing plate by the plurality of narrow rollers,
Heating means provided in the heating chamber and capable of heating the photosensitive lithographic printing plate conveyed on the conveyance path by releasing radiant heat toward the conveyance path formed by the skewer roller;
Automatic developing device including   2. A skewer roller in which at least one of a pair of rollers that sandwich and convey the photosensitive lithographic printing plate fed from the heating chamber is a skewer roller in which the plurality of narrow rollers are provided so as to be movable in the axial direction. The automatic developing device described in 1.   Cooling means for blowing cooling air toward the photosensitive lithographic printing plate fed from the heating chamber between the heating chamber and the pair of rollers sandwiching the photosensitive lithographic printing plate fed from the heating chamber. The automatic developing device according to claim 2 provided. Stirring means provided in the heating chamber and stirring the air in the heating chamber by blowing air in the heating chamber toward the conveyance path formed by the skewer roller;
Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the heating chamber;
A temperature maintenance control means for maintaining the heating chamber at a predetermined temperature by controlling the heating means and the stirring means based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means;
The automatic developing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: A water washing section provided on the downstream side of the heating chamber for washing with washing water while conveying the photosensitive lithographic printing plate;
Conveying means for conveying the photosensitive lithographic printing plate provided in the washing section and heated by the pre-heating section and fed by the pair of rollers obliquely downward while contacting the conveying rollers arranged in a staggered manner And an automatic developing device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.   6. The automatic developing device according to claim 5, wherein the conveying rollers arranged in a staggered pattern are formed by a skewer roller facing one surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate and a rubber roller facing the other surface. A pair of conveying rollers provided on the downstream side of the inclined conveying path formed by the conveying means and conveying the photosensitive lithographic printing plate obliquely downward in the washing section;
Water supply means for supplying the cleaning water to the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate conveyed in an inclined state toward the pair of conveyance rollers on the upstream side of the pair of conveyance rollers;
An automatic developing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 including:   One roller of the pair of transport rollers provided on the downstream side of the transport path that transports the photosensitive lithographic printing plate obliquely downward, the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate supplied with the cleaning water. The automatic developing device according to claim 7, wherein the automatic developing device is a brush roller for brushing.   The photosensitive member is provided in the washing section so as to face the lower surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate conveyed along the inclined conveying path, and is opposed to the conveying path and sent out by the conveying means. 9. The automatic developing device according to claim 7, further comprising a support guide for supporting and guiding a rear end portion of the lithographic printing plate.   A receiving plate for receiving the washing water flowing down from the photosensitive lithographic printing plate between the inclined conveying path and the level of the washing water collected from the photosensitive lithographic printing plate on the washing unit. The automatic developing device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, which is provided.

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