JP4584129B2 - Lithographic printing plate development method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  In the present invention, a lithographic printing plate provided with an image recording layer for recording a latent image by radical photopolymerization on the surface of a plate-like support is exposed and developed, and then the surface of the image recording layer is oxygenated. The present invention relates to a developing method and apparatus for performing post-exposure for improving the printing durability of a lithographic printing plate that cures a photopolymerized layer without a blocking layer.

  In general, in a method for preparing a lithographic printing plate, a photosensitive film of a lithographic printing plate precursor having a photopolymerizable photosensitive film (image recording layer) provided on a support is exposed by an exposure device to cause a polymerization reaction. A method of forming a lithographic printing plate by forming a latent image obtained by solidifying an image portion by the above, and then removing a non-polymerized non-image portion in the photosensitive film on which the latent image of the lithographic printing plate is formed with a developer. Is widely practiced.

  In recent years, in the field of lithographic printing, an unexposed lithographic printing plate is supplied, and image data is computer-processed on the lithographic printing plate to directly modulate the laser beam of the light source to form a lithographic printing plate precursor. A laser exposure process is performed to record the image directly on the image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate precursor by projecting the modulated laser beam, and the latent image formed on the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is visualized by an automatic processor. A CTP (Computer to Plate) system that directly develops a lithographic printing plate by performing development processing for conversion has been put into practical use.

  In addition, for use in such a CTP system, development of a laser-compatible lithographic printing plate using radical chain polymerization that enables direct exposure of laser light to enable high-sensitivity and fine exposure is in progress. .

  In the exposure process for a laser-compatible lithographic printing plate using this radical chain polymerization reaction, the image recording layer is exposed to a laser beam and polymerized by causing a radical polymerization reaction in the exposed area of the image recording layer. Harden.

  In this exposure process, oxygen in the air is a factor that hinders the radical polymerization reaction due to the action of inactivating radicals in the image recording layer generated by exposure. For this reason, the sensitivity of the lithographic printing plate is lowered because the radical polymerization reaction is hindered by oxygen in the air in the exposed area of the image recording layer, so it is difficult to increase the sensitivity to some extent.

  Therefore, in the lithographic printing plate, an overcoat layer such as PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) is formed on the image recording layer formed on the aluminum support to block oxygen in the air, and the oxygen in the air records the image. Means are taken to increase the sensitivity so as not to enter the layer.

  Conventionally, when making a lithographic printing plate provided with an image recording layer for recording a latent image by radical photopolymerization as described above, post-exposure processing is performed after exposure / development processing in order to improve printing durability. In addition, a lithographic printing plate making method and a post-exposure apparatus have been proposed for further polymerizing and curing a developed image portion formed on a developed lithographic printing plate (for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, Patent). Reference 3, Patent Document 4, and Patent Document 5).

  However, in such a lithographic printing plate making method and post-exposure apparatus that perform such post-exposure processing, the overcoat layer is removed at the stage of development or pre-development processing. When performing, oxygen in the air having an action of deactivating radicals in the image recording layer generated by exposure enters the image recording layer and is greatly affected by polymerization inhibition by oxygen.

  For this reason, in order to obtain a sufficient post-exposure effect, it is necessary to attach a large light source with very high illuminance to the post-exposure device, which increases the size of the post-exposure device.

  In addition, for example, when a mercury lamp is used as a light source with high illuminance to be mounted on the post-exposure apparatus, a high-voltage power supply for supplying power to the mercury lamp is required, and it takes time for the brightness to stabilize after the mercury lamp is turned on. Therefore, a waiting time of 5 to 10 minutes is required until the processing becomes possible after the power is turned on, and the work efficiency is lowered, and the lithographic printing plate is intermittently carried into the post-exposure apparatus at intervals of the waiting time. Even if it comes, the mercury lamp must always be lit, so the lifetime of the mercury lamp is exhausted and the replacement period is shortened.

For this reason, it has been difficult to realize a developing device for a planographic printing plate integrated with an apparatus portion for performing large post-exposure. In addition, in order to obtain sufficient printing durability for a lithographic printing plate made only by a lithographic printing plate developing apparatus that does not perform post-exposure processing, the exposure energy when exposing the lithographic printing plate is increased. Therefore, it is necessary to use a large and expensive light source device with high output for the exposure apparatus.
JP 2001-48326 A JP 2001-51426 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-159811 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-265069 JP 2002-162753 A

  In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention shuts off oxygen in the air when performing post-exposure processing subsequent to development processing so that a lithographic printing plate can be made to have sufficient printing durability. It is possible to perform post-exposure processing by exposing the entire surface with a small amount of light in a state that prevents oxygen from entering the image recording layer, and emits light having a wavelength necessary for the post-exposure processing. Post-exposure that makes it possible to use a light source that can illuminate evenly and can only be turned on when performing post-exposure processing on a lithographic printing plate and can be started without post-waiting time, so that the life of the plate can be extended and replaced. It is an object of the present invention to newly provide a development method and apparatus for a lithographic printing plate incorporating a process.

The above problems are solved by the following invention.
The lithographic printing plate development method according to claim 1 of the present invention is a lithographic printing plate development method in which an image recording layer is provided on the surface of a support as an image forming means utilizing a photoradical polymerization reaction.
The image recording layer on which the latent image is formed is immersed in a developer with respect to the lithographic printing plate on which the latent image is formed by irradiating the image recording layer with exposure light corresponding to the image. A developing process step of removing the unexposed portion of the substrate from the support to reveal a latent image, and rinsing the surface of the lithographic printing plate with the liquid while circulating the liquid with a liquid circulating means. while washing, the surface of the image recording layer is covered with a thin film by surface tension of the liquid, with light having a wavelength initiating or promoting the photo-radical polymerization reaction by the entire surface exposure light in an oxygen blocking state, the planographic printing plate And a cleaning step that also serves as a post-exposure process.
The invention described in claim 2 is the lithographic printing plate development method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid has a wavelength that is inactive to the lithographic printing plate and causes radical photopolymerization in the image recording layer. Light can be transmitted, and the liquid circulation means circulates the liquid in the order of the liquid supply means, the lithographic printing plate, a tray, a filter, and a pump.

According to the above-described lithographic printing plate development method, the rinsing process is performed with a liquid for washing the developing solution adhering to the remaining image recording layer so as to form an image on the surface of the lithographic printing plate. A liquid layer for washing the developer, covering the surface of the image recording layer to block oxygen, and covering the surface of the image recording layer so that oxygen is blocked Since the entire surface exposure is performed by irradiating light of a wavelength that causes radical photopolymerization through this layer, inhibition of radical photopolymerization by oxygen is prevented, and a sufficient radical photopolymerization reaction can be obtained with a small amount of light. Therefore, it is possible to emit light of the wavelength necessary for the post-exposure process and to illuminate it uniformly, and it is turned on only when the post-exposure process is performed on the lithographic printing plate, and the post-exposure process can be started without waiting time. A light source that can extend the period of time for which the image recording layer is applied, and a liquid layer so that the developer adhering to the image recording layer is washed away with a liquid and the surface of the image recording layer is shielded from oxygen. By sharing the configuration for covering, the configuration can be simplified.
In addition, a liquid that is inactive with respect to the lithographic printing plate and capable of transmitting light having a wavelength that causes radical photopolymerization in the image recording layer is used. By a liquid circulation means, a liquid supply means, a lithographic printing plate, a tray, a filter, Liquid is circulated in the order of the pumps.
Thereby, a thin film is formed on the surface of the lithographic printing plate by surface tension, and the amount of liquid for processing is minimized. Moreover, dust in the liquid can be removed with a filter, and continuous processing is possible.

The developing device for a lithographic printing plate according to claim 3 of the present invention comprises a lithographic printing plate in which an image recording layer on which a latent image is recorded by radical photopolymerization is formed on the surface of a plate-like support. The lithographic printing plate having a latent image formed on the image recording layer is carried in, immersed in a developer stored in the developing tank, and brushed with a brush roller so that the image recording layer is not exposed. A developing unit that reveals an image by removing the part from the support, a conveyance path that conveys the lithographic printing plate in which the image is manifested in gas, and a lithographic printing plate that is conveyed on the conveyance path At least on the remaining image recording layer so as to form an image on the surface, the adhering developer is washed away, and oxygen capable of transmitting light having a wavelength causing radical photopolymerization in the image recording layer is blocked. Liquid to make a layer A liquid supply means for, with respect to the image recording layer entirely of the planographic printing plate being conveyed on the conveying path, a light irradiating means for irradiating light having a wavelength to cause radical photopolymerization through thin, characterized by having a Yes.

  By configuring as described above, the cleaning liquid is supplied onto the image recording layer of the planographic printing plate by the liquid supply means in a state where the planographic printing plate is transported on the transport path transported in the gas. The developer is washed away, and the post-exposure from the light irradiating means is covered with a layer of a cleaning liquid so that an image is formed on the surface of the lithographic printing plate after being developed. Since the entire surface is irradiated with light, the entire image recording layer on which the image is formed is polymerized and cured so that the radical polymerization reaction proceeds without being affected by the inhibition of polymerization by oxygen. Printing durability can be improved. Furthermore, since the entire surface exposure is performed by irradiating light of a wavelength that causes radical photopolymerization through the liquid layer in a state of blocking oxygen, inhibition of radical photopolymerization by oxygen is prevented, and a small amount of light is sufficient. Since a radical photopolymerization reaction can be obtained, the light of the wavelength necessary for the post-exposure process can be emitted and illuminated uniformly, and the post-exposure process can be started without any waiting time. Therefore, it is possible to use a light source that can be used for a long period of time after replacement, and the liquid supply means is configured to wash away the developer adhering to the image recording layer with liquid, and the surface of the image recording layer is covered with oxygen. Since the configuration for covering with the liquid layer so as to be blocked is shared, the configuration can be simplified and an inexpensive lithographic printing plate developing device can be provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the lithographic printing plate developing device according to the third aspect , the light irradiation means is constituted by a light emitting diode (LED).

With the configuration as described above, in addition to the operation and effect of the invention according to claim 3 , since the LED emits light with a predetermined light amount immediately after lighting, it reaches a predetermined light emission amount after being energized. Unlike other light sources that require a long standby time, it can be lit only when necessary for post-exposure processing. Therefore, by controlling to turn on the LED only when the post-exposure processing is performed on the lithographic printing plate, waste of energy that turns on the LED when the post-exposure processing is not performed is eliminated, and the post-exposure device The period in which the LED can be used (the service life of the LED when it is used in a post-exposure device) can be extended, and the LED is inexpensive, so it is used to improve the printing durability of a lithographic printing plate using this. The post exposure apparatus can be manufactured at low cost.

  According to the lithographic printing plate development method and apparatus of the present invention, in the post-exposure step after the lithographic printing plate development processing, oxygen in the air is blocked so that oxygen in the air does not enter the image recording layer. In this state, the entire surface is exposed with a small amount of light so that a lithographic printing plate having sufficient printing durability can be made, and light with a wavelength necessary for the post-exposure processing of the lithographic printing plate with a small amount of light emission is reduced. A small and inexpensive light source that can be illuminated and illuminated uniformly, and can only be turned on when performing post-exposure processing on a lithographic printing plate, and can be started without waiting time, thus extending the life and replacing period. By using it, there is an effect that it is possible to manufacture a small and inexpensive developing device for a lithographic printing plate.

  An embodiment relating to a lithographic printing plate developing method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The lithographic printing plate developing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a pre-processing unit 200 shown in FIG. 7 and a developing processing unit 100 shown in FIG.

  This lithographic printing plate developing device is intended for a photon mode recording type or heat mode recording type lithographic printing plate 10 that has undergone exposure processing as a means of image formation utilizing a generally used photoradical polymerization reaction. Then, development processing is performed.

  A lithographic plate having an image recording layer that forms a latent image by using a photoradical polymerization reaction generated when irradiated with light for exposure (a light having a wavelength that initiates or accelerates the photoradical polymerization reaction). The printing plate 10 (radical polymerization type lithographic printing plate) has a multilayer structure in which an anodized film is formed on the surface of an aluminum support and an image recording layer (photosensitive layer) is further provided on the anodized film.

  The image recording layer serving as an image forming means provided on the lithographic printing plate 10 is formed by exposing a photopolymerizable material with recording light such as a laser to cause radicals generated from a radical initiator to react with the monomers, and the monomers are radicals. Then, a radical polymerization reaction that repeats the reaction with the monomer further occurs continuously in a chain, so that a polymer having a large molecular structure is formed, and the portion that becomes the polymer constitutes a latent image.

  Further, the portion of the image recording layer not irradiated with the laser recording light is removed and removed by the lithographic printing plate developing device, and an image is formed by the portion that has become a polymer.

  The pretreatment unit 200 is configured to perform a preheating treatment and a pre-water washing treatment prior to the development treatment on the lithographic printing plate 10 which is a so-called photopolymer plate. The planographic printing plate 10 preprocessed by the preprocessing apparatus 200 is developed by the development processing unit 100. Further, the preprocessing unit 200 applied to the present embodiment may be used separately from the development processing unit 100 or may be used by being connected to the development processing unit 100.

  The lithographic printing plate 10 developed by the automatic developing device is, for example, a so-called photopolymer plate (photosensitive lithographic printing plate) that is generally used, and an adhesive layer is formed on one surface of a thin plate support using aluminum or the like. An image recording layer (photosensitive layer) is formed through the film, and an overcoat layer is provided thereon. The lithographic printing plate 10 is exposed to an image by various commonly used exposure means to form a latent image.

  In the pretreatment apparatus 200, a preheating unit 204 is provided in the machine casing 202 on the upstream side in the transport direction of the planographic printing plate 10, and a prewashing unit 206 as a prewashing process is provided on the downstream side.

  A plurality of skewer rollers 210 are arranged in the heating chamber 208 in the preheating unit 204. In the heating chamber 208, a heater 214 is provided on the inlet 212 side, and a circulation fan 216 for ventilating the heater 214 is provided.

  In the preheating unit 204, when the lithographic printing plate 10 passes through the heating chamber 208, the photopolymerization layer of the lithographic printing plate 10 is accurately cured so as to have a predetermined temperature and a predetermined heating time, The printing durability of the planographic printing plate 10 is increased.

  On the other hand, the lithographic printing plate 10 that has passed through the heating chamber 208 is sent from the outlet 218 to the pre-water washing section 206.

  The pre-rinsing section 206 is provided with a water washing tank 220, and a washing tank 222 for storing washing water is formed in the water washing tank 220.

  Conveying rollers 224, 226, and 228 are arranged in a staggered manner in the pre-water washing unit 206 on the pre-heating unit 204 side. The transport rollers 224 and 228 are provided so as to face the upper surface of the planographic printing plate 10, and the transport roller 226 is disposed between the transport rollers 224 and 228 so as to face the lower surface of the planographic printing plate 10. .

  As a result, the lithographic printing plate 10 fed to the pre-water washing section 206 is conveyed while being sandwiched between the conveying rollers 224 and 228 and the conveying roller 226.

  In the pre-water washing section 206, a brush roller 230 and a backup roller 232 are provided in pairs in the vertical direction on the downstream side of the conveying roller 228. The contact position between the brush roller 230 and the backup roller 232 is lower than the lower end of the transport roller 228. As a result, the planographic printing plate 10 is sent between the brush roller 230 and the backup roller 232 while being inclined from between the conveying rollers 226 and 228.

  Further, the pre-water washing unit 206 is provided with a spray pipe 234 between the conveying roller 228 and the brush roller 230, and a spray pipe 236 is provided above the brush roller 230.

  The spray pipe 236 supplies cleaning water to the brush material by spraying cleaning water over the entire area along the axial direction of the brush roller 230. Therefore, the planographic printing plate 10 is brushed by the brush roller 230 to which the cleaning water is supplied.

  The lithographic printing plate 10 is supplied with cleaning water from the spray pipe 234 to the surface. Further, the planographic printing plate 10 is fed between the brush roller 230 and the backup roller 232 in a state where cleaning water is accumulated on the surface thereof.

  In this lithographic printing plate 10, when cleaning water is accumulated on the surface, the overcoat layer provided on the lithographic printing plate 10 is easily swollen by the cleaning water and is easily peeled off. Thus, the overcoat layer can be surely removed, and development unevenness can be prevented from occurring when the development process is performed with the overcoat layer partially remaining.

  When the lithographic printing plate 10 passes between the brush roller 230 and the backup roller 232 that are rotated in a predetermined direction, the surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 is brushed by the brush roller 230. The brush roller 230 is mounted so as to obtain a predetermined brush pressure when the planographic printing plate 10 is sandwiched between the backup roller 232 and the backup roller 232.

  On the other hand, a skewer roller 238 is provided in the pre-wash unit 206 on the downstream side of the brush roller 230. The skewer roller 238 is disposed above the conveying path of the planographic printing plate 10, and the planographic printing plate 10 that has passed between the brush roller 230 and the backup roller 232 is brushed by the brush roller 230. It is designed to prevent it from floating and coming off the conveyance path.

  Further, when the preprocessing unit 200 is connected to the development processing unit 100, the conveyance roller pair 142 of the development processing unit 100 is provided at the most downstream side of the pre-water washing unit 206.

  The automatic developing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is used to develop the lithographic printing plate 10 on which an image is exposed by an exposure apparatus (not shown).

  The development processing section 100 supplies a developing section 114 for processing the lithographic printing plate 10 with a developing solution and a rinsing water of the lithographic printing plate 10 processed with the developing solution to wash the water and perform a post-exposure process. It has a water washing section 117 that also serves as an exposure processing section, a desensitizing processing section 118, and a drying section 120 that dries the lithographic printing plate 10.

  That is, in the development processing unit 100, a development process, a washing and post-exposure processing process, a desensitization processing process, and a drying process are sequentially arranged along the transport direction of the planographic printing plate 10 (the direction of arrow A in the figure).

  A processing tank 122 is provided in the development processing unit 100. In this processing tank 122, a developing tank 124 is formed at a position that becomes the developing section 114 as a processing tank, and the tray member 28 and the insensitive area are positioned at the position that becomes the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section and the desensitizing processing section 118. An oil treatment tank 128 is formed. Further, the processing tank 122 is provided with a space for the insertion section 134 on the upstream side of the developing tank 124 (upstream in the transport direction of the planographic printing plate 10), and on the downstream side of the desensitizing processing tank 128. A space is formed.

  In the outer panel 130 covering the periphery of the processing tank 122, a slit-like insertion port 132 is formed on the insertion side of the planographic printing plate 10 into the development processing unit 100 (the left side of the paper as viewed in FIG. 2). In this case, an insertion part 134 is formed on the insertion port 132 side of the developing part 114.

  The development processing unit 100 is provided with covers 136 and 138 that cover the upper part of the processing tank 122 and the upper part of the drying unit 120. The cover 136 on the insertion port 132 side covers the upper part of the water washing part 117 that also serves as a post-exposure processing part from the insertion part 134 of the processing tank 122, and the cover 138 is dried from the upper part of the water washing part 117 that also serves as a post-exposure processing part. It arrange | positions so that between the upper parts of the part 120 may be covered.

  The cover 136 is provided with a re-entry insertion port (sub-insertion port) 140 for inserting the planographic printing plate 10 between the developing unit 114 and the water washing unit 117 which also serves as a post-exposure processing unit. Yes. The sub insertion port 140 is for inserting the planographic printing plate 10 for performing processing in the automatic developing device (PS plate processor) 100 excluding processing in the developing unit 114.

  A rubber conveyance roller pair 142 is disposed in the insertion portion 134 adjacent to the sub insertion port 140. The planographic printing plate 10 on which the image has been printed is inserted between the conveying roller pair 142 by being inserted along the direction of arrow A from the insertion port 132.

  The transport roller pair 142 is rotationally driven to feed the lithographic printing plate 10 into the developing unit 114 at an angle in the range of about 15 ° to 31 ° with respect to the horizontal direction while drawing the planographic printing plate 10 from the insertion port 132. In the development processing unit 100 used for processing the single-sided planographic printing plate 10, the image recording layer (photosensitive surface) is inserted from the insertion port 132 in a state of being directed upward. In other words, the lithographic printing plate 10 is processed by the development processing unit 100 with the photosensitive surface facing upward.

  The developing tank 124 formed in the processing tank 122 has a substantially mountain shape with the bottom center protruding downward, and stores an alkaline developer for developing the planographic printing plate 10.

  In the developing tank 124, a transport roller 148 is disposed on the insertion portion 134 side that is the upstream portion of the transport path of the planographic printing plate 10. Further, in the developing tank 124, a conveyance roller pair 150 is disposed at the center of the PS plate conveyance path, and a conveyance roller pair 152 is disposed on the washing unit 117 side which also serves as a downstream post-exposure processing unit. Yes.

  A guide 116 is provided between the conveyance roller 148 and the conveyance roller pair 150 in the development tank 124 of the development processing unit 100. One end of the guide 116 faces the conveyance roller 148, and the other end is directed between the conveyance roller pair 150.

  As a result, the lithographic printing plate 10 drawn into the development processing unit 100 by the conveying roller pair 142 is sent between the conveying roller 148 and the guide 116 and guided and conveyed on the guide 116 to the conveying roller pair 150. .

  In the developing tank 124, a brush roller 141 is disposed in the vicinity of the conveyance roller pair 150 so as to face the guide 116. The brush roller 141 is rotationally driven at a predetermined rotation direction and a predetermined rotation speed, and contacts the surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 conveyed on the guide 116, thereby brushing the upper surface of the lithographic printing plate 10. The guide 116 is mounted so that the brush roller 141 contacts the upper surface of the planographic printing plate 10 with a predetermined brush pressure.

  Further, the brush roller 141 protrudes from the liquid surface of the alkaline developer, and the upper portion protruding from the liquid surface of the brush roller 141 enters the concave portion 101B of the shielding lid 101 together with the conveying roller pair 150. It has become.

  On the other hand, in the developing tank 124, a brush roller 143 and a transport roller 160 are disposed between the transport roller pair 150 and 152. The brush roller 143 and the transport roller 160 are attached so as to face the upper surface side of the planographic printing plate 10 transported between the transport roller pair 150 and 152. The brush roller 143 contacts the upper surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 while rotating in a predetermined direction and a predetermined rotation direction, thereby brushing the image recording layer on the upper surface side of the lithographic printing plate 10 and using the developer to remove unnecessary images. The removal of the recording layer is promoted.

  The planographic printing plate 10 drawn from the insertion port 132 by the conveying roller pair 142 passes below the conveying roller 148, is brushed by the brush roller 141, and is then fed between the conveying roller pair 150. Further, the conveying roller 150 As a result, the toner is guided obliquely upward toward the conveyance roller pair 152 along the guide member 147 in the developing tank 124. At this time, the upper surface side of the lithographic printing plate 10 is brushed by the brush roller 143.

  Further, the conveying roller pair 152 is formed by, for example, a rubber roller at the outer periphery, and is sent to the washing unit 117 that also serves as a post-exposure processing unit while holding the planographic printing plate 10 and pulling it out from the developing tank 124. I do.

  A spray pipe 156 is provided in the developing tank 124 in the vicinity of the guide member 147 between the conveyance roller pair 150 and the conveyance roller pair 152. The developer in the developing tank 124 sucked by a pump (not shown) is supplied to the spray pipe 156, and the developer supplied from the spray pipe 156 is ejected. As a result, the developer in the developing tank 124 is agitated, and the lithographic printing plate 10 can be uniformly processed.

  The lithographic printing plate 10 carried out of the developing tank 124 by the transport roller pair 152 is sent to the water washing section 117 which also serves as a post-exposure processing section while the developer attached to the surface is drawn down by the transport roller pair 152. .

  Thereafter, the water washing section 117, which also serves as an exposure processing section, performs exposure processing on the image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate 10 and polymerizes it by radical photopolymerization to form a latent image. The image is revealed by removing the unexposed portion of the image recording layer on which a latent image is formed by a brush roller while immersed in an alkaline developer in a lithographic printing plate, and leaving only the exposed image recording layer portion. Then, the developer such as alkali is washed and subjected to a post-exposure process, and then sent to the desensitization processing unit 118.

  The reason for performing the post-exposure processing in the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section is that the planographic printing plate 10 is developed after the exposure processing so that only a polymerized portion in the image recording layer is formed on the aluminum support. The remaining image is formed. At this time, in the lithographic printing plate 10 after the development treatment, the portion of the image recording layer remaining so as to form an image on the aluminum support is not necessarily sufficiently polymerized, and the portion of the image recording layer In some cases, an insufficiently polymerized portion may remain on a part of the aluminum support on the side.

  Therefore, in the water washing unit 117 which also serves as a post-exposure processing unit, the entire surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 is uniformly exposed with light having the wavelength of the photosensitive region of the image recording layer by the post-exposure processing, so that the aluminum support is formed on the aluminum support. This is because the portion of the image recording layer remaining so as to form an image is sufficiently polymerized to be cured to improve the printing durability.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the water washing unit 117 that also serves as a post-exposure processing unit for improving the printing durability of the lithographic printing plate 10 has an image conveyed on a substantially horizontal conveyance path that conveys the air. With respect to the lithographic printing plate 10 that has been exposed, washing water is sprayed onto the entire front and back surfaces of the lithographic printing plate 10 to wash off the developer, and the surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 is covered with washing water in an oxygen-blocked state. A configuration in which post-exposure treatment for improving the printing durability of the lithographic printing plate 10 is performed and the surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 is washed with water, and a configuration in which the surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 is covered with water to be in an oxygen-blocking state. Also, the configuration is simplified by reducing the number of parts.

  In the water washing unit 117 which also serves as the post-exposure processing unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of pre-exposure positions before and after the post-exposure position are used to perform post-exposure processing on the transport path for transporting the planographic printing plate 10 in the atmosphere. Conveying rollers 12 and 14 which are nip rollers are arranged.

  Each of the transport rollers 12 and 14 is rotationally driven by a motor or the like as a drive source (not shown) while the planographic printing plate 10 is sandwiched between the transport rollers 12 and 14. The planographic printing plate 10 is configured to be conveyed. These transport rollers 12 and 14 are both configured as free rollers, or only rollers that are in rolling contact with the surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 and are configured as free rollers. Besides these, the lithographic printing plate 10 is transported. A nip roller that is rotationally driven by a drive source for this purpose may be mounted.

  At a post-exposure position set between the two sets of transport rollers 12 and 14, a predetermined distance from the surface of the transported planographic printing plate 10 on the image recording layer side (here, set to approximately 1 mm to approximately 3 mm). An exposure assisting member 16 configured as a transparent member is disposed at a position where a gap is placed. Here, as a result of actual experiments, as described later, when water (washing water) is supplied onto the lithographic printing plate 10 by the liquid shower bar 26 which is a liquid supply means, the lithographic printing plate is affected by the surface tension of water. It was confirmed that a water layer having a thickness of about 1 mm to about 3 mm spread on the surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 on the average until reaching the end of the plate 10.

  Therefore, in the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section, the liquid supply means is set so that only a water layer is formed between the planographic printing plate 10 and the bottom surface of the exposure assisting member 16 and air does not enter. When water is supplied from the liquid shower bar 26 to form a layer of water on the planographic printing plate 10, the planographic plate has a distance equal to or shorter than the thickness of the water layer. A distance between the printing plate 10 and the bottom surface of the exposure assisting member 16 is set.

  The exposure assisting member 16 is formed by forming a material such as transparent glass or plastic having a plane of an incident surface and an exit surface (bottom surface) of a laser beam into a rectangular plate shape (cuboid shape). In addition, you may comprise this exposure assistance member 16 so that it may have a function as a lens.

  In the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section, even if the surface of the water layer on the planographic printing plate 10 is uneven by using the exposure assisting member 16 configured as described above, The surface of the water layer can be planarized by covering the surface of the water layer with the exposure assisting member 16. Further, since the surface of the exposure assisting member 16 is flat, it is preferable that the light incident on the surface is irradiated on the image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate 10 on average so as not to cause partial deviation of the light amount. Can be post-exposure processed.

  Further, as indicated by imaginary lines in FIG. 1, the lower side (back side) of the lithographic printing plate 10 conveyed immediately below the exposure assisting member 16 is supported by rolling and supporting the back side of the lithographic printing plate 10. A guide roller 40 (a guide member that slides in contact with the lower surface of the planographic printing plate 10 and may be substituted) is installed to prevent the liquid ejected from the nozzle from hitting the printing plate 10 to generate vibration. When this guide roller 40 is arranged, the post-exposure processing can be performed in a state where vibrations of the planographic printing plate 10 are suppressed when the liquid ejected from the nozzle of the liquid shower bar 26 is received.

  In the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section, a post-exposure light irradiation means 20 is provided in order to perform post-exposure processing via the exposure auxiliary member 16. The light irradiating means 20 is, for example, light having a predetermined wavelength such as infrared light, visible light, or ultraviolet light suitable for causing a radical photopolymerization reaction in the image recording layer of the planographic printing plate 10. LED array light source, which is a light source configured by collecting a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs, here, ultraviolet LEDs emitting ultraviolet rays) 20A so as to be arranged at a high density such as a staggered pattern Constitute.

  Thereafter, in the water washing section 117 that also serves as an exposure processing section, each LED 20A is installed so as to be embedded in the upper surface portion of the exposure assisting member 16, as shown in FIGS. The LED array light source provided with a plurality of LEDs 20A may be configured separately from the exposure assisting member 16.

  The light irradiating means 20 may be composed of an electroluminescence (EL) element that is a surface light source that emits light having a photosensitive wavelength.

  In the water washing unit 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing unit, a liquid shower bar 26 as a liquid supply unit is installed above the conveyance path. The liquid shower bar 26 has a width of the planographic printing plate 10 in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction at a predetermined position between the exposure assisting member 16 and the transport rollers 12 and 14 disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction. It arrange | positions so that a liquid may be ejected corresponding to the range over the whole direction.

  The liquid shower bar 26 is formed in, for example, a cylindrical shape, and a large number of nozzle holes are arranged in a row at equal intervals on the peripheral side face toward the planographic printing plate 10, and supplied to the inside of the liquid shower bar 26. The liquid (in this case, water that serves as both a developer cleaning liquid and an oxygen blocking liquid) is ejected from each nozzle to form a substantially uniform thin film liquid layer on the surface of the planographic printing plate 10. Constitute. The liquid sprayed from the liquid shower bar 26 and supplied onto the lithographic printing plate 10 spreads over the entire surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 and flows down from the end thereof to wash away the developer and the surface of the liquid. A substantially uniform thin film-like liquid layer is formed by tension.

  Thus, the substantially uniform thin film-like liquid layer formed by the liquid supplied onto the lithographic printing plate 10 is conveyed together with the lithographic printing plate 10 to reach the position of the exposure auxiliary member 16, and the exposure auxiliary member 16 and After entering the space between the lithographic printing plate 10 and sufficiently filling the gap between the exposure auxiliary member 16 and the lithographic printing plate 10 without leaving air bubbles, the oxygen-blocking state for exposure processing is established. produce.

  The liquid used here is a liquid that can transmit a light beam for post-exposure of the lithographic printing plate 10 and can wash away the developer of the lithographic printing plate 10 (in the case of “washing water”, a light beam). Can be used, and the developer of the lithographic printing plate 10 can be washed away (for example, it means a liquid such as a cleaning liquid or a cleaning agent). Here, normal tap water is used. .

  The substantially uniform thin film-like liquid layer formed on the lithographic printing plate 10 is transported together with the lithographic printing plate 10 to leave the position of the exposure auxiliary member 16, and is squeezed by the transport rollers 12 and 14 on the downstream side in the transport direction. Will be dropped.

  Thus, in order to receive the liquid squeezed down from the top of the planographic printing plate 10 or spilled from both sides of the planographic printing plate 10, two sets of transport rollers 12 and 14 sandwiching the exposure position are disposed below the transport path. The tray member 28 is installed so as to cover a slightly larger range including the predetermined range.

  Further, in the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section, a liquid shower bar 27 as a cleaning liquid supply means is installed below the conveyance path. The liquid shower bar 27 is orthogonal to the transport direction at a predetermined position between the transport rollers 12 and 14 disposed upstream of the exposure assisting member 16 and the transport rollers 12 and 14 disposed downstream of the transport direction. In this direction, the liquid is ejected corresponding to a range over the entire width direction of the back surface of the lithographic printing plate 10.

  The liquid shower bar 27 is configured, for example, in the same manner as the liquid shower bar 26 described above, and liquid (here, water used as a liquid for cleaning at least the developer) is supplied from a large number of nozzle holes toward the back surface of the planographic printing plate 10. ) Is ejected from each nozzle to wash away the developer from the back surface of the lithographic printing plate 10.

  As described above, the liquid ejected from the liquid shower bar 27 strikes the back surface of the planographic printing plate 10 to wash away the developer and flows into the tray member 28.

  Further, a liquid circulation line 30 is installed between the tray member 28 and the liquid shower bars 26 and 27. A filter 34, a pump 36, and a heater 38 are disposed in the middle of the pipe member 32 constituting the series of liquid circulation pipes 30.

  The liquid circulation pipe 30 sends the liquid introduced from the liquid inlet opening on the bottom surface of the tray member 28 to the filter 34 through the pipe member 32 and then sends it to the pump 36. The pump 36 pressurizes the liquid sucked from the filter 34 side, sends it to the heater 38 and heats it to about 60 ° C. to 80 ° C. (may be less than the boiling point), and then to the liquid shower bar 26 and the liquid shower bar 27. A series of liquid circulation systems are configured in which the liquid is supplied and ejected from the nozzles of the liquid shower bar 26 and the liquid shower bar 27 at a predetermined flow rate. The new liquid supplied to the liquid shower bar 26 and the liquid shower bar 27 through the liquid circulation pipe 30 is supplied to the tray member 28 by means (not shown) according to the processing amount of the planographic printing plate 10.

  Thereafter, the water washing unit 117, which also serves as an exposure processing unit, supplies the heated liquid from the shower bar 26 to the entire surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 and covers it with a liquid layer to form an image of the lithographic printing plate 10. The image recording layer is heated to accelerate the radical polymerization reaction, and the entire image recording layer forming the image is polymerized and cured to help improve the printing durability of the lithographic printing plate 10. .

  Further, in the water washing section 117 serving also as the post-exposure processing section, the image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate 10 is dried at a position close to the downstream side in the transport direction from the transport rollers 12 and 14 disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction. Therefore, the dryer 39 which blows the hot air heated at about 100 degreeC is arrange | positioned.

  In the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section, hot air heated from the dryer 39 is blown over the entire surface of the image recording layer forming the image of the planographic printing plate 10 to form an image forming this image. The recording layer is heated to promote the radical polymerization reaction, and the entire image recording layer forming the image is more reliably polymerized and cured to help improve the printing durability of the lithographic printing plate 10. it can.

  In the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section, the dryer 39 may be omitted and the planographic printing plate 10 squeezed by the transport rollers 12 and 14 may be carried directly to the desensitizing processing section 118. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section is provided with a lighting control means for lighting the LED 20A of the LED array light source that is the light irradiation means 20 only when necessary for the post-exposure processing. .

  When the LED 20A is used as the light irradiating means 20 in the washing unit 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing unit, the LED 20A emits light with a predetermined light amount immediately after being turned on. Unlike other light sources that require a long standby time, it is possible to control to turn on only when necessary for post-exposure processing.

  Here, in the case of using another light source that requires a long standby time from energization until reaching a predetermined light emission amount, a predetermined time is applied after energization from the time when the planographic printing plate 10 is carried into the exposure auxiliary member 16. Since it is necessary to turn on other light sources at a point in time before a long waiting time until the amount of light is emitted, it is difficult to control turning on and off frequently, and useless lighting regardless of post-exposure processing Time will increase.

  In the lighting control means for the LED 20A as the light irradiation means 20, the lithographic plate that is being transported to a predetermined position on the transport path that is closer to the upstream side in the transport direction than the transport rollers 12 and 14 that are closest to the upstream side in the transport direction of the exposure auxiliary member 16 A plate end detection sensor 21 configured to be able to detect the front end and the rear end in the transport direction of the printing plate 10 is disposed.

  The plate edge detection sensor 21 is constituted by, for example, a reflection type light detection sensor, receives the reflected light of the sensor light irradiated to the detection position on the conveyance path, and sends the value of the received light amount to the light source lighting control circuit 23. Send.

  The light source lighting control circuit 23 is configured so that the light quantity of reflected light for detection received by the plate edge detection sensor 21 changes when the plate edge of the lithographic printing plate 10 passes the detection position on the conveyance path. It is determined that the plate edge has been detected. The light source lighting control circuit 23 determines that the plate edge of the lithographic printing plate 10 has been detected when the amount of reflected light for detection reaches a predetermined amount when reflected on the surface of the lithographic printing plate 10. Anyway.

  Further, in the light source lighting control circuit 23, for example, when the plate end is detected for the first time after the lithographic printing plate 10 starts to be conveyed on the conveying path, this is determined as the leading end in the conveying direction of the lithographic printing plate 10, and the second time. When the plate edge is detected, this is determined as the rear end of the planographic printing plate 10 in the conveying direction.

  When the light source lighting control circuit 23 detects the leading edge of the planographic printing plate 10 in the transport direction, it transmits a control signal for ON operation to the LED light source power source 25 to light the LED 20A. In the control for turning on the LED 20A, the LED 20A is turned on immediately when the leading end of the planographic printing plate 10 in the transport direction is detected. Alternatively, the light source lighting control circuit 23 is configured so that a predetermined waiting time for lighting until the front end of the planographic printing plate 10 in the transport direction reaches immediately before the exposure assisting member 16 is measured by a timer, and the transport direction of the planographic printing plate 10 is measured. Control may be performed so that the LED 20A is turned on when a predetermined waiting time for lighting has elapsed since the tip was detected.

  Further, when the light source lighting control circuit 23 detects the rear end of the planographic printing plate 10 in the transport direction, the predetermined turn-off waiting time until the rear end of the planographic printing plate 10 in the transport direction finishes passing through the exposure assisting member 16. Is controlled by a timer, and the LED 20A is controlled to be turned off when the predetermined standby time for turning off has elapsed.

  Thus, the lighting control means controls the LED 20A to be lit only when the lithographic printing plate 10 is subjected to the post-exposure processing, so that the energy of the LED 20A is lit when the post-exposure processing is not performed. It is possible to eliminate waste and lengthen the period during which the LED 20A can be used in the water washing unit 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing unit (the service life of the LED 20A when used in the water washing unit 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing unit).

  That is, in the water washing part 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing part, the time when the LED 20A is turned on can be shortened when the LED 20A is turned on and off more frequently than when the LED 20A is continuously turned on. The period in which the LED 20A can be used in the water washing section 117 that also serves as a post-exposure processing section can be lengthened.

  Moreover, when LED20A is used as the light irradiation means 20, LED20A does not generate | occur | produce an extra infrared ray, and uniform illumination with a long lifetime is attained.

  Next, the post-exposure operation of the lithographic printing plate in the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section for the lithographic printing plate shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 configured as described above will be described.

  In the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section for the lithographic printing plate, the developed lithographic printing plate 10 is carried into the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section by a supply means (not shown).

  Then, the developed lithographic printing plate 10 carried into the water washing unit 117 which also serves as a post-exposure processing unit is carried between the pair of conveyance rollers 12 and 14 disposed on the upstream side of the conveyance path and conveyed. Thus, the liquid ejected from the nozzle under the liquid shower bar 26 is supplied onto the surface of the planographic printing plate 10 to form a thin film of liquid on the surface of the planographic printing plate 10.

  At this time, in the planographic printing plate 10, the developer adhering to the image recording layer is washed with water sprayed from the liquid shower bar 26, and the back surface of the planographic printing plate 10 is sprayed with water sprayed from the liquid shower bar 27. The attached developer is washed.

  The planographic printing plate 10 is further conveyed to reach a post-exposure position below the exposure auxiliary member 16. At this time, the LED 20A which is the light irradiation means 20 is turned on by the lighting control means. Further, the liquid layer on the lithographic printing plate 10 is pushed by the exposure assisting member 16 so that the liquid fills the gap space between the lithographic printing plate 10 and the exposure assisting member 16, and air bubbles or the like. Is assumed to be absent.

  In the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section, the width of the lithographic printing plate 10 is transferred from the LED array light source composed of a plurality of LEDs 20A that are arranged in a staggered pattern while the lithographic printing plate 10 is conveyed. The entire surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 is averagely post-exposed by exposing a predetermined range having a predetermined length in the conveying direction over the entire width in the direction in a so-called surface exposure state.

  In the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section, the lithographic printing plate 10 is being transported while the lithographic printing plate 10 is being transported from the post-exposure position where the exposure auxiliary member 16 is located to the positions of the transport rollers 12 and 14 on the downstream side in the transport direction. Since the image recording layer is covered with a liquid and maintained in a state where it is shielded from oxygen in the air, the radical polymerization reaction is allowed to proceed in the image recording layer without being affected by the inhibition of polymerization by oxygen. Thus, the entire image recording layer forming the image can be polymerized and cured, and the printing durability of the lithographic printing plate 10 can be improved.

  In the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section, the predetermined time for turning off is measured by a timer from the time when the plate end detection sensor 21 detects the rear end in the transport direction of the planographic printing plate 10 under the control of the light source lighting control circuit 23. When the standby time has elapsed, the LED 20A is turned off.

  As described above, the lithographic printing plate 10 subjected to the post-exposure processing at the post-exposure position where the exposure auxiliary member 16 is present is squeezed down by the transport rollers 12 and 14, and the liquid is removed from the dryer 39 downstream in the transport direction. It is dried and transported by the hot air blown.

  In the water washing section 117 which also serves as the post-exposure processing section, the liquid used for cleaning the developer and used for blocking oxygen during the post-exposure processing is mixed into the liquid using the filter 34 and the pump 36 of the liquid circulation system. Circulate and use while removing dust.

  In the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section, the liquid from which the dust is removed by passing through the filter 34 of the liquid circulation system is supplied to the image recording layer of the planographic printing plate 10. It can prevent that the part which is not exposed generate | occur | produces.

  In the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section, post-exposure light is irradiated from above on the planographic printing plate 10 that is transported on the transport path transporting in the air with the image recording layer facing upward. Therefore, the LED array light source is arranged at a position higher than the liquid shower bar 26 for allowing the liquid and the liquid to flow down on the planographic printing plate 10, and there is a liquid splash or a liquid leak. Even in such a case, the LED array light source can be prevented from getting wet with the liquid.

  Next, an example of the configuration related to the water washing section 117 that also serves as a post-exposure processing section equipped with a lithographic printing plate exposure tool used in this lithographic printing plate developing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. In the water washing section 117 which also serves as a post-exposure processing section for a lithographic printing plate shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a means for supplying liquid onto the lithographic printing plate 10 to the exposure auxiliary member 16 is integrally configured.

  In the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section shown in FIG. 3, a pair of transport rollers 12 and 14 that are nip rollers are disposed before and after the post-exposure position on the transport path for transporting the planographic printing plate 10 in the atmosphere. At the same time, an exposure assisting member 16 provided with a liquid supply means, which is a tool used for post-exposure, is disposed on the exposure position of the transport path by a predetermined distance.

  The exposure assisting member 16 having a liquid supply means as a post-exposure tool is composed of a material such as transparent glass or plastic. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a rectangular member body 16A is used. And an end face side member 16B in the longitudinal direction, one end face member 16C in the short side direction, and a connecting end member 16D for connection to the tube member 32.

  In the member main body 16A, a U-shaped liquid introduction groove 17A is formed in an end surface portion in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the upstream side in the transport direction. Further, the member main body 16A has an end portion 17B that contacts the side of the liquid guide groove 17A adjacent to the lithographic printing plate 10 side having a protruding amount that is more liquid than the end portion 17C of the liquid guide groove 17A that contacts the side separated from the planographic printing plate 10. It is formed so as to be shortened by the width of the supply opening.

  An end face formed in a rectangular parallelepiped having the same length as the longitudinal direction of the member main body 16A and the same width as the thickness of the member main body 16A is formed on the end portion 17C of the member main body 16A corresponding to the side away from the planographic printing plate 10 of the liquid introduction groove 17A. The side member 16B is fixed so as to be kept airtight.

  The end surface member 16B is fixed to one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the member main body 16A to which the end surface side member 16B is fixed so as to keep airtightness. Further, the connection end member 16D is fixed to the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the member main body 16A fixed to the end surface side member 16B so as to keep airtightness.

  A pipe port portion of the pipe member 32 is fixed to the connection end member 16D. The connection end member 16D is configured so that the tube port of the tube member 32 having one end fixed to the connection end member 16D communicates with the liquid introduction groove 17A while being fixed to the member main body 16A.

  In the exposure assisting member 16 having the liquid supply means as the exposure tool configured as described above, the liquid introduction groove 17A communicating with the tube opening of the tube member 32 includes the end portion 17B of the member main body 16A and the end surface side member 16B. In combination with the liquid supply opening formed between the two, a liquid supply path communicating in a bowl shape is formed.

  The exposure assisting member 16, which is a tool used for subsequent exposure, transfers the liquid (here, water) fed from the tube member 32 onto the planographic printing plate 10 through the liquid supply groove 17 </ b> A of the liquid supply path through the liquid supply opening. It has a function to make it flow down by required amount.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the water washing section 117 that also serves as a post-exposure processing section for a lithographic printing plate provided with an exposure assisting member 16 that is a tool used for this post-exposure, the bottom of the conveyance path that is directly below the exposure assisting member 16 A guide roller 40 is arranged on the side to guide the lower surface of the lithographic printing plate 10. Note that the guide roller 40 may be omitted in the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section.

  In the water washing section 117 that also serves as a post-exposure processing section for a lithographic printing plate provided with an instrument used for post-exposure shown in FIG. 3, the post-exposure processing is performed by the transport rollers 12 and 14 and the guide roller 40. From the liquid supply opening on the upstream side in the transport direction of the exposure auxiliary member 16 to the image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate 10, a required amount of liquid is substantially evenly distributed over the entire length in the width direction of the lithographic printing plate 10. To flow down.

  Then, the liquid flowing down from the liquid supply opening of the exposure assisting member 16 is coupled between the image recording layer of the planographic printing plate 10 and the entire lower surface of the exposure assisting member 16 in combination with the transport operation of the planographic printing plate 10. Filled and filled to prevent air bubbles from entering. In the exposure auxiliary member 16 provided with the liquid supply means as an instrument used for the subsequent exposure, the liquid flows down from the liquid supply opening on the upstream side in the transport direction of the exposure auxiliary member 16, so that the liquid is immediately with the lithographic printing plate 10. Since it spreads and fills quickly with the entire lower surface of the exposure assisting member 16, the liquid can be efficiently filled between the lithographic printing plate 10 and the exposure assisting member 16 with a relatively small amount of liquid, and The thickness of the liquid layer formed between the lithographic printing plate 10 and the exposure assisting member 16 can be relatively easily increased.

  At this time, the liquid supplied onto the lithographic printing plate 10 spreads between the transport rollers 12 and 14 upstream in the transport direction from the post-exposure position and the transport rollers 12 and 14 downstream in the transport direction from the post-exposure position. The developing solution adhering to the image recording layer of the planographic printing plate 10 is washed away.

  In the water washing section 117 which also serves as a post-exposure processing section for the lithographic printing plate, the lithographic printing plate 10 is conveyed by the conveying rollers 12 and 14 in a state where the liquid is filled between the exposure auxiliary member 16 and the lithographic printing plate 10. On the other hand, post-exposure light emitted from the light irradiating means 20 is subjected to so-called surface exposure within a predetermined range of the post-exposure position to perform post-exposure processing.

  At this time, the image recording layer of the developed lithographic printing plate 10 is kept in a state of being covered with a liquid and shielded from oxygen in the air, so that polymerization inhibition by oxygen occurs in the developed image recording layer. The entire image recording layer on which an image is formed can be polymerized and cured so that the printing durability of the lithographic printing plate 10 can be improved.

  Further, in the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section, the back surface of the planographic printing plate 10 is washed with the liquid ejected from the liquid shower bar 27 as described above.

  The structure, operation, and effect of the water washing unit 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing unit for the planographic printing plate shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 described above are the post-exposure processing shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above. Since it is the same as the water washing part which served as the part, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Next, another configuration example relating to the water washing section that also serves as a post-exposure processing section will be described with reference to FIG. In the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section shown in FIG. 6, the liquid is supplied to the image recording layer of the planographic printing plate 10 by using the transport roller 12 that is closest to the upstream side in the transport direction from the post-exposure position on the transport path. Configure to feed up. Further, in the water washing section 117 also serving as the post-exposure processing section shown in FIG. 6, the liquid washing section 117 is washed directly so as to form a liquid layer on the planographic printing plate 10 without using an exposure auxiliary member. The light irradiation means 20 is configured to perform post-exposure processing.

  Therefore, the liquid is made to flow down from the liquid shower bar 26 on the outer peripheral surface on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the vertical line passing through the center of the transport roller 12 in the transport roller 12 closest to the upstream side in the transport direction from the post-exposure position. Constitute.

  Further, in the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section, a flow-down guide member 15 that guides the liquid to flow along the outer peripheral surface of the transport roller 12 closest to the upstream side in the transport direction from the post-exposure position. Is installed.

  The flow-down guide member 15 includes an arcuate guide portion 15A disposed at a predetermined interval with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the transport roller 12, and a substantially radial direction of the transport roller 12 from the upper end portion of the arc-shaped guide portion 15A. And a discharge guide portion 15C extending in parallel to the surface of the planographic printing plate 10 from the lower end portion of the arcuate guide portion 15A.

  In addition, in order to receive the liquid flowing down from the liquid shower bar 26 in combination with the introduction guide portion 15B of the flow guide member 15 at a portion of the transport roller 12, a predetermined interval from the introduction guide portion 15B. The auxiliary flow guide member 19 is arranged so as to extend in the tangential direction of the conveying roller 12 in a state of opening and facing.

  In the water washing section 117 also serving as the post-exposure processing section shown in FIG. 6 configured as described above, the liquid flowing down from the liquid shower bar 26 is received by the introduction guide section 15B and the auxiliary flow-down guide member 19, and the outer peripheral surface of the transport roller 12 And the arcuate guide portion 15 </ b> A, and the gap between them is flowed along the outer peripheral surface of the conveying roller 12 and guided onto the planographic printing plate 10.

  In this way, the liquid guided onto the lithographic printing plate 10 is guided by the discharge guide portion 15C and supplied on the entire surface of the image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate 10 on an average, and on the upstream side in the transport direction from the post-exposure position. The developer flows away between the conveying rollers 12 and 14 disposed downstream in the conveying direction to wash away the developer, and forms a water layer by surface tension.

  When configured in this way, between the transport roller 12 disposed immediately upstream of the post-exposure position in the transport direction and the transport roller 12 disposed immediately downstream of the post-exposure position in the transport direction, Since it is not necessary to provide a space for the liquid to flow down from the liquid shower bar 26, the transport roller 12 disposed immediately upstream of the post-exposure position in the transport direction and the transport roller 12 disposed close to the downstream of the post-exposure position in the transport direction. By disposing them close to the transport roller 12, the lithographic printing plate developing device provided with the water washing section 117 which also serves as a post-exposure processing section can be miniaturized.

  Further, in the water washing unit 117 which also serves as the post-exposure processing unit, an LED array light source provided with a plurality of LEDs 20A as the light irradiation means 20 is disposed above the post-exposure position, and a thin layer for blocking oxygen from the LED 20A. The post-exposure light is applied to the image recording layer that has been subjected to the development process of the planographic printing plate 10 via

  In the water washing section 117 that also serves as a post-exposure processing section, even if some unevenness is generated on the surface of the oxygen-blocking liquid layer formed on the developed image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate 10, the light is emitted from the LED 20A. There is no hindrance in performing post-exposure processing by irradiating. This is different from the case where the recording laser beam is focused on the image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate 10 by irradiating the developed image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate 10 with light of a predetermined wavelength for post-exposure. This is because it is sufficient that the radical polymerization reaction can be generated, and therefore, the unevenness formed on the surface of the oxygen blocking liquid layer does not affect the generation of the radical polymerization reaction even if the light for post-exposure is scattered.

  1 and FIG. 2 described above, the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section omits the exposure assisting member 16 and develops the lithographic printing plate 10 from the LED 20A through an oxygen blocking liquid layer. You may comprise so that the light for post-exposure may be irradiated to a used image recording layer.

  Further, in the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section, the flow-down guide member 15 is provided corresponding to the transport roller 12 from which the liquid flows down from the liquid shower bar 26, so that the liquid that has flowed down rebounds and is irradiated with light. It can prevent adhering to LED20A as 20.

  The structure, operation, and effect of the water washing unit 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing unit shown in FIG. 6 are the same as those of the water washing unit 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing unit shown in FIGS. Since this is the same, the description thereof is omitted.

  Further, in the water washing section 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing section, the back surface of the planographic printing plate 10 is washed with the liquid ejected from the liquid shower bar 27 as described above.

  The above-described configuration, operation, and effect of the water washing unit 117 that also serves as the post-exposure processing unit for the lithographic printing plate shown in FIG. 6 also serve as the post-exposure processing unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above. The explanation is omitted because it is the same as the water washing section.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in this lithographic printing plate developing apparatus, the lithographic printing plate 10 washed and washed by a water washing unit 117 which also serves as a post-exposure processing unit is carried out to a desensitizing processing unit 118.

  The desensitization processing unit 118 is provided with a transport roller pair 170 above the desensitization processing tank 128, and the lithographic printing plate 10 carried out from the water washing unit 117 that also serves as a post-exposure processing unit is transferred to the transport roller pair 170. Is sent to the drying unit 120 after being conveyed through the desensitization processing unit 118.

  The desensitization processing unit 118 is provided with a spray pipe 172 above the transport path of the planographic printing plate 10 and a spray pipe 174 below the transport path. The spray pipes 172 and 174 have their longitudinal direction (axial direction) along the width direction of the planographic printing plate 10 and are arranged above and below the conveyance path of the planographic printing plate 10. The spray pipes 172 and 174 are formed with a plurality of discharge holes along the width direction of the planographic printing plate 10.

  The desensitizing treatment tank 128 stores a gum solution used for protecting the plate surface of the lithographic printing plate 10, and this gum solution is supplied to the spray pipes 172 and 174 in synchronization with the conveyance of the lithographic printing plate 10. The spray pipe 172 drops the gum solution toward the lithographic printing plate 10 and spreads it on the surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 to apply it. The spray pipe 174 discharges the gum solution from the discharge hole toward the back surface of the planographic printing plate 10 to apply the gum solution to the back surface of the planographic printing plate 10.

  The planographic printing plate 10 has a protective film formed by a gum solution applied to the front and back surfaces. The discharge direction of the gum solution from the spray pipe 172 is not limited to the downstream side of the transport direction of the planographic printing plate 10, and may be other directions, and a rectifying plate is provided and ejected toward the rectifying plate. The gum solution thus applied may be applied to the surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 while being uniformly diffused along the width direction of the lithographic printing plate 10 with a current plate. Instead of the spray pipe 174, a discharge unit or the like for applying the gum solution to the back surface of the planographic printing plate 10 by moving the planographic printing plate 10 while contacting the discharged gum solution may be used.

  The desensitization processing unit 118 is provided with a cleaning spray 176 above the conveying roller pair 170, and a cleaning roller 178 that rotates while contacting the roller above the conveying roller pair 170. At a predetermined timing, the cleaning water is dropped from the cleaning spray 176 onto the contact position between the cleaning roller 178 and the roller above the conveying roller pair 170 via the rectifying plate 180, thereby supplying the cleaning water to the conveying roller pair. The gum solution is uniformly diffused on the peripheral surfaces of the rollers above 170, and the gum solution is washed away from the peripheral surfaces of the upper and lower rollers of the conveying roller pair 170, and the gum solution adheres to the peripheral surfaces of the rollers and damages the lithographic printing plate 10. I try to prevent that.

  The planographic printing plate 10 to which the gum solution has been applied by the desensitization processing unit 118 is sandwiched between the conveying roller pair 170 and dried with the gum solution remaining slightly on the front and back surfaces (the gum solution remains as a thin film). To the unit 120.

  In the development processing unit 100, a partition plate 182 is provided between the desensitization processing unit 118 and the drying unit 120. The partition plate 182 is disposed above the conveying path of the planographic printing plate 10 so as to face the upper end of the processing tank 122, and thereby, a slit-like shape is provided between the desensitizing processing unit 118 and the drying unit 120. The insertion hole 184 is formed. In addition, the partition plate 182 has a double structure, whereby a groove-like air passage is formed on the drying portion 120 side of the insertion port 184, and the air in the drying portion 120 enters the air passage. Thus, air in the drying unit 120 is prevented from entering the desensitizing treatment unit 118 from the insertion port 184.

  In the drying unit 120, a support roller 186 that supports the planographic printing plate 10 is disposed in the vicinity of the insertion port 184, and in the vicinity of the central portion in the transport direction of the planographic printing plate 10 and the discharge port 188. A conveying roller pair 190 and a conveying roller pair 192 are provided. The planographic printing plate 10 is transported in the drying unit 120 by a support roller 186 and transport roller pairs 190 and 192.

  Ducts 194 and 196 are disposed between the support roller 186 and the transport roller pair 190 and between the transport roller pair 190 and the transport roller pair 192 in pairs with the transport path of the planographic printing plate 10 interposed therebetween. . The ducts 194 and 196 are arranged in the longitudinal direction along the width direction of the planographic printing plate 10, and a slit hole 198 is provided on a surface facing the conveyance path of the planographic printing plate 10.

  The ducts 194 and 196 discharge the dry air from the slit hole 198 toward the transport path of the planographic printing plate 10 when the dry air generated by the dry air generating means (not shown) is supplied from one end side in the longitudinal direction. And sprayed onto the lithographic printing plate 10. Thereby, as for the planographic printing plate 10, the gum liquid apply | coated to the front and back is dried, and a protective film is formed.

  In the development processing unit 100, by disposing the liquid level cover 100 in the developing tank 124, the developing solution in the developing tank 124 is prevented from deteriorating due to contact with carbon dioxide in the air or the like, and evaporation of moisture. I am doing so. A blade-shaped shielding member (not shown) formed of silicon rubber or the like is provided between the shielding lid 101 and the processing tank 122 and the conveying roller 148, the conveying roller pair 152, etc., so that the developer in the developing tank 124 is fresh. This prevents contact with fresh outside air and evaporation of moisture in the developer.

  Next, the operation and operation of the lithographic printing plate developing apparatus according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  When the lithographic printing plate 10 exposed with an image is inserted into the pre-heating unit 204, the pre-processing device 200 of the lithographic printing plate developing device starts a conveying process of the lithographic printing plate 10. At the same time, the pretreatment apparatus 200 starts an operation of supplying the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 222 to the spray pipes 234 and 236 provided in the pre-water washing unit 206.

  Next, the planographic printing plate 10 inserted from the insertion port is drawn into the machine frame and fed into the heating chamber 208. In the preheating unit 204, the planographic printing plate 10 fed into the heating chamber 208 is conveyed while being heated by the heater 214. As a result, the lithographic printing plate 10 is heated at a preset heating temperature and heating time to increase the degree of polymerization of the photopolymerization layer in the image area and increase the printing durability, and is sent to the pre-washing section 206. .

  In the pre-wash unit 206, the conveying rollers 224 to 228 arranged in a zigzag form feed the lithographic printing plate 10 obliquely downward while imparting a conveying force to the planographic printing plate 10. As a result, the lithographic printing plate 10 is fed between the brush roller 230 and the backup roller 232.

  In the pre-water washing unit 206, the washing water is ejected from the spray pipe 236 to supply the washing water to the brush roller 230 and the washing water is ejected from the spray pipe 234.

  Thus, when the planographic printing plate 10 is conveyed between the conveying rollers 226 and 228 between the brush roller 230 and the backup roller 232, the lithographic printing plate 10 is sent between the brush roller 230 and the backup roller 232, and is thereby transmitted by the brush roller 230. Brushed.

  In the planographic printing plate 10, when the cleaning water is supplied to the surface, the uppermost overcoat layer is easily swelled and peeled off. Further, the overcoat layer is more easily peeled off due to the longer time it is immersed in the washing water.

  The planographic printing plate 10 that has been brushed in this manner and from which the overcoat layer has been removed is sandwiched between the conveying roller pair 142 of the development processing unit 100 and sent out from the preprocessing unit 200 to the development processing unit 100.

  In the development processing unit 100, when the planographic printing plate 10 on which a latent image is formed by exposure processing by an image exposure device (not shown) is inserted from the insertion port 132, the conveyance roller pair 142 is driven to rotate. As a result, the planographic printing plate 10 is sandwiched between the conveying roller pair 142 and drawn into the automatic developing device.

  In the automatic developing device including the development processing unit 100, a sensor for detecting the planographic printing plate 10 passing through the insertion port 132 is provided in the vicinity of the insertion port 132, and when this sensor detects the insertion of the planographic printing plate 10 At the timing based on the detection of the lithographic printing plate 10 by this sensor, the washing water is discharged from the spray pipes 166 and 168 of the washing unit 117 and the desensitizing processing unit. Control is performed so that the gum solution is discharged from the 118 spray pipes 172 and 174. In this automatic developing device, the control to turn on or off the LED 20A is performed at a predetermined timing based on the detection of the planographic printing plate 10 by the sensor, and the plate edge detection sensor 21 shown in FIG. 2 is omitted. Also good.

  The conveyance roller pair 142 sends the planographic printing plate 10 drawn from the insertion port 132 to the developing tank 124 at an insertion angle in the range of 15 ° to 31 ° with respect to the horizontal direction. As a result, the lithographic printing plate 10 is conveyed through the developing tank 124 by the conveying roller 148 and the conveying roller pairs 150 and 52 while being guided by the guide plate 116, and is immersed in the developer stored in the developing tank 124. , And is discharged from the developer at a discharge angle in the range of 17 ° to 31 °.

  The planographic printing plate 10 is immersed in a developing solution in the developing tank 124, whereby the unexposed portion of the image recording layer is removed from the support. At this time, in the automatic developing device, the surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 (the surface on the image recording layer side) is brushed by the brush rollers 141 and 143 arranged in the developing tank 124 so that the surface of the lithographic printing plate 10 is removed. The removal of unnecessary image recording layers is promoted.

  The lithographic printing plate 10 which has been developed and sent out from the developing tank 124 is sent to the water washing unit 117 which also serves as a post-exposure processing unit by the conveying roller pair 152. At this time, the conveying roller pair 152 squeezes down the developer adhering to the front and back surfaces of the planographic printing plate 10.

  In the washing unit 117 which also serves as a post-exposure processing unit, washing water is ejected from the liquid shower bar 26 and the liquid shower bar 27 while the lithographic printing plate 10 is nipped by the conveyance rollers 12 and 14 and conveyed in a substantially horizontal direction. Then, the developer remaining on the front and back surfaces of the lithographic printing plate 10 is washed away.

  At the same time, the water washing unit 117, which also serves as a post-exposure processing unit, performs post-exposure processing by turning on the LED 20A with the water sprayed from the liquid shower bar 26 covering the entire surface of the image recording layer, and then drying. After drying in the vessel 39, the lithographic printing plate 10 is sent to the desensitizing treatment unit 118.

  The planographic printing plate 10 sent to the desensitization processing unit 118 passes between the spray pipes 172 and 174 and is sandwiched between the transport roller pair 170, so that the desensitization processing unit 118 is used by the transport roller pair 170. Sent out.

  At this time, the desensitization processing unit 118 discharges the gum solution from the spray pipes 172 and 174 and uniformly applies the gum solution to the front and back surfaces of the planographic printing plate 10 while diffusing. The conveying roller pair 170 sandwiches and conveys the lithographic printing plate 10 and squeezes the excess gum solution from the front and back surfaces of the lithographic printing plate 10, thereby forming a uniform thin film of gum solution on the front and back surfaces of the lithographic printing plate 10. Form.

  The planographic printing plate 10 to which the gum solution is applied is sent from the insertion port 184 to the drying unit 120 by the conveying roller pair 170. When the shutter is provided at the insertion port 184, the shutter is operated at the timing of starting the processing of the planographic printing plate 10 or the timing when the planographic printing plate 10 is sent out from the desensitizing processing unit 118, so that the insertion port 184 is opened. When the lithographic printing plate 10 is not passed, the drying air of the drying unit 120 unnecessarily enters the desensitizing processing unit 118 and prevents the gum solution from adhering to the conveying roller pair 170, and is inserted. Air enters through the port 184 and reaches the developing unit 114 to prevent the developer from being deteriorated by carbon dioxide in the air, or the moisture in the developer, the washing water, and the moisture in the gum solution are evaporated and inserted. This prevents the mouth 184 from exiting.

  In the drying unit 120, drying air is blown from the ducts 194 and 196 to the front and back surfaces of the lithographic printing plate 10 while the lithographic printing plate 10 is conveyed by the support roller 186 and the conveying roller pair 190 and 192. As a result, the planographic printing plate 10 is discharged from the discharge port 188 with a protective film formed by the gum solution applied to the surface.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, Of course, it can take other various structures in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a water washing section that also serves as a post-exposure processing section according to an embodiment of a lithographic printing plate developing method and apparatus of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the water washing part which served as the post-exposure processing part concerning embodiment of the developing method and apparatus of the lithographic printing plate of this invention in a partial cross section. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the water washing part which served as the post-exposure processing part of the other structure concerning embodiment of the development method and apparatus of the lithographic printing plate of this invention in a partial cross section. It is a perspective view which takes out and shows the post-exposure tool used for the water washing part which served as the post-exposure process part of other structure concerning embodiment of the image development method and apparatus of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which takes out and shows the post-exposure tool used for the water washing part which served as the post-exposure processing part of other structure concerning embodiment of the image development method and apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the water washing part which served as the post-exposure process part of the further another structure concerning embodiment of the image development method and apparatus of this invention in a partial cross section. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the pre-processing part concerning embodiment of the image development method and apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the image development processing part concerning embodiment of the image development method and apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Planographic printing plate 12 Conveying roller 14 Conveying roller 15 Flow guide member 15A Guide part 15B Introduction guide part 15C Discharge guide part 16 Exposure auxiliary member 16A Member main body 16B End face side member 16C End face member 16D Connection end member 17 Auxiliary flow guide member 17A guide Liquid groove 20 Light irradiation means 21 Plate edge detection sensor 23 Light source lighting control circuit 25 Light source power supply 26 Liquid shower bar 28 Dish member 30 Liquid circulation pipe 32 Pipe member 34 Filter 36 Pump 38 Heater 39 Dryer 117 Washing section 124 Developer tank

Claims (4)

In the development method of a lithographic printing plate provided with an image recording layer as an image forming means utilizing a photoradical polymerization reaction on the surface of a support,
The image recording layer on which the latent image is formed is immersed in a developer with respect to the lithographic printing plate on which the latent image is formed by irradiating the image recording layer with exposure light corresponding to the image. A development processing step of removing the unexposed portion of the substrate from the support to reveal a latent image;
While the liquid is circulated by the liquid circulation means, the surface of the lithographic printing plate is washed away with the liquid to wash the developer, and the surface of the image recording layer is covered with a thin film due to the surface tension of the liquid, and an oxygen-blocking state a cleaning step which also serves as an exposure process after performed by entirely exposed light with light of a wavelength to initiate or accelerate the photo-radical polymerization reaction, the exposure process after the planographic printing plate in,
A method for developing a lithographic printing plate, comprising: The liquid is inactive with respect to the lithographic printing plate and can transmit light having a wavelength that causes radical photopolymerization in the image recording layer, and the liquid circulation means includes the liquid supply means, the lithographic printing plate, 2. The method for developing a lithographic printing plate according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is circulated in the order of a tray, a filter, and a pump. The lithographic printing plate in which a latent image is formed on the image recording layer by irradiating exposure light onto a lithographic printing plate in which an image recording layer on which a latent image is recorded by radical photopolymerization is formed on the surface of a plate-like support. A plate is carried in, immersed in a developer stored in a developing tank, and brushed by a brush roller to remove an unexposed portion of the image recording layer from the support and reveal an image. A developing section to
  A transport path for transporting the lithographic printing plate in which an image is manifested in gas;
  The developer adhering to at least the image recording layer remaining so as to form an image on the surface of the lithographic printing plate conveyed on the conveyance path is washed away, and the image recording is performed. A liquid supply means for supplying a liquid so as to form a thin film that blocks oxygen capable of transmitting light having a wavelength causing radical photopolymerization in the layer;
  Light irradiation means for irradiating light of a wavelength that causes radical photopolymerization through the thin film on the entire surface of the image recording layer of the planographic printing plate being conveyed on the conveyance path;
  A development apparatus for a lithographic printing plate, comprising: 4. The lithographic printing plate developing device according to claim 3, wherein the light irradiation means comprises a light emitting diode (LED) .

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