JPH01310355A - Processing machine for photosensitive planographic printing plate - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the deterioration of a developing soln. by providing a floating cap having alkali resistance onto the surface of the processing liquid in a developing tank. CONSTITUTION:A photosensitive planographic printing plate 12 sent into the developing tank 14 is immersed in the developing liquid in the developing tank 14 and is subjected to development processing. The surface of the developing soln. in the tank 14 is held covered by the floating cap 100. The cap 100 prevents the deterioration of the developing soln. generated by contact of the developing soln. with the carbon dioxide in the air and the consequent neutralization of the alkaline component in the developing soln. Since the cap 100 is formed of foamed nylon capable of withstanding strong alkalinity, the cap is so formed as to float on the surface of the developing soln. in the tank 14. The cap 100 is capable of preventing the deterioration of the developing soln. generated by contact of the developing with the carbon dioxide in the air and the consequent neutralization of the alkaline component in the developing soln. in this way.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Application Field 1] The present invention involves transporting a photosensitive lithographic printing plate on which an image has been printed into a processing tank and immersing it in a processing solution contained in the processing tank. The present invention relates to a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processor for processing.

[Prior Art] A photosensitive lithographic printing plate on which an image has been printed is sent to a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing machine, and after being developed in a developing tank provided in the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing machine, a washing tank, It is sequentially transported to all or some of the processing tanks such as a rinsing processing tank and a desensitization processing tank, and is processed therein.

Such photosensitive lithographic printing plates include those in which a photosensitive material is coated on one or both surfaces of a rigid support such as an aluminum plate or a plastic plate.

A plurality of guide rollers are disposed within the processing tank, and the photosensitive planographic printing plate is guided and immersed in the processing liquid by these guide rollers.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the developer in the developing tank of the processing tank is easily oxidized by air. In particular, in a shallow developing tank with a wide opening, in which the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is transported horizontally and immersed for development, the developer in this developing tank has a large contact area with the air. CO2 in the air
becomes easier to absorb. For this reason, there is a problem that the developing solution deteriorates and the processing capacity decreases.

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention aims to provide a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processor capable of preventing deterioration of the developer.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In the present invention, a photosensitive lithographic printing plate on which an image has been printed is transported into a processing tank and immersed in a processing solution contained in the processing tank for processing. This lithographic printing plate processing machine is characterized in that a floating lid having alkali resistance is provided above the surface of the processing liquid in the processing tank.

[Effect 1 Therefore, according to the present invention, the contact area of the developing solution in the developing tank with air is greatly reduced by the floating lid, and CO from the liquid surface is reduced.
absorption is reduced, and unnecessary deterioration of the developer can be reduced.

This floating lid is made of, for example, foamed nylon, so it will not be immersed in a strongly alkaline developer, and it can move up and down to follow changes in the level of the developer. .

[Example] FIG. 1 shows an example of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate process 110 according to the present invention.

The photosensitive lithographic printing plate processor 10 includes a developer tank 14 for developing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as "28 plate") 12 on which an image has been printed by a printing device (not shown); a developer recovery tank 16 for recovering overflowing developer from the 13th plate 12, a washing tank 18 for washing the developer attached to the 13th plate 12 with water, and a desensitization treatment tank for applying a degreasing treatment liquid to the PS plate 12. 20 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of conveyance rollers 22 are arranged on the side where the thirteenth plate 12 is inserted into the developer tank 14. As shown in FIG. A 13th plate 12 on which an image has been printed by a printing device (not shown) is inserted between the pair of transport rollers 22.

The developer tank 14 has an approximately inverted mountain shape with an open top and a bottom central portion protruding downward. The developing tank 14 contains a developing solution. Inside the developer tank 14, guide rollers 24, 26, 28, 34, 36.
38.40 are arranged. These guide rollers 2
4 - The guide roller 40 forms a skewer-shaped roller in which a plurality of elastic rotating members are supported by a shaft, and the shaft is supported by being stretched between a pair of side plates (not shown).

Further, a guide roller 42 having a larger diameter than the guide roller 24 is arranged above the guide roller 24, and a guide roller 44 is arranged above the guide roller 38.
A guide roller 46 is arranged above 0. These guide rollers 42, 44, 46 are the guide rollers 24
- Like the guide roller 40, it is a skewer-shaped roller and is supported by a pair of side plates (not shown).

A pair of conveyance rollers 48 is arranged between the guide roller 28 and the guide roller 34 in the center of the developer tank 14 . Like the guide rollers 24 to 46, the pair of conveyance rollers 48 are rotatably supported by the side plates, and are rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown) transmitted thereto.

A guide roller 32 is arranged between the conveyance roller 48 and the guide roller 34. The guide roller 32 forms a skewer-shaped roller in which a plurality of elastic rotating members are pivotally supported on the outer periphery of the roller shaft. The roller shaft of the guide roller 32 is made of a hollow pipe, and forms a spray pipe 54 with a discharge port opened between the elastic rotating members along the axial direction. That is, the guide roller 32 is a skewer-shaped roller that also serves as a spray pipe.

A guide roller 30 is arranged between the guide roller 28 and the pair of conveyance rollers 48, and the guide roller 24.2
It is formed to have a larger diameter than 6.28.32.36.38.40. The guide roller 30 is a skewer-shaped roller and is supported by a pair of side plates like the guide rollers 44 to 46. A guide 52 is attached to the shaft of the guide roller 30 via a bracket 50. One end of this guide 52 is arranged toward the pair of conveyance rollers 48 . For this reason, the tip of the thirteenth plate 12 is guided between the pair of conveying rollers 48.

Therefore, the developing tank 1 is conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers 22.
The 13th plate 12 inserted into the plate 4 is conveyed diagonally through between the guide rollers 24 and 42, and guided by the guide rollers 26, 28, 30 and the guide 52, it descends diagonally and passes between the pair of guide rollers 26, 28, 30 and the guide 52. It is inserted between the conveyance rollers 48. After passing between the pair of conveyance rollers 48, the guide rollers 32, 34.
36, 38, and 40 and rises obliquely, and is guided by guide rollers 46 and sent above the developer recovery tank 16. As a result, the 83 plate 12 is immersed in the developer in the developer tank 14 and developed.

A bent portion bent toward the outside of the developer tank 14 is formed on the downstream side wall of the developer tank 14 in the conveyance direction of the 83rd plate 12, and the vertical height of this bent portion is equal to the height of the 83rd plate 12 in the conveyance direction. It is lower than the upstream side wall. Therefore, when the developer tank 14 is full and overflows, it overflows the bent portion and is always collected into the developer recovery tank 16.

A spray pipe 54 in which a plurality of discharge ports are formed along the axial direction of the roller shaft of the guide roller 32 is communicated with one end of a conduit 56 . The other end of the conduit 56 penetrates the bottom of the developer tank 14 and opens into the developer tank 14 . Conduit 56
A circulation pump is disposed in the middle of the developer tank 14 so that the developer in the developer tank 14 is supplied to the spray pipe 54.

Further, a spray pipe 60 is arranged above the guide roller 32. This spray pipe 60 is provided with a plurality of discharge ports opened along the axial direction. This spray pipe 60 is also communicated with the conduit 56, and the developer in the developer tank 14 is supplied by operation of the circulation pump 58.

The discharge ports of the spray pipe 54 and the spray pipe 60 are opened toward the space between the pair of transport rollers 48, and the developer supplied by the circulation pump 58 is discharged in this direction.

Further, one end of a conduit 64 communicating with a developer replenishment tank 62 is opened above the developer tank 14 .

A replenisher pump 66 is disposed in the middle of this conduit 64. Further, one end of a pipe 70 communicating with a water supply tank 68 is opened above the developer tank 14.
A water supply pump 72 is disposed in the middle of 0. Thereby, the developer replenisher (undiluted solution) in the developer replenishment tank 62 and the water in the water supply tank 68 are supplied to the developer tank 14 at a predetermined ratio.

Further, one end of a conduit 74 is open above the developer tank 14 . The other end of the pipe 74 penetrates the bottom of the developer recovery tank 16 and opens into the developer recovery tank 16 . Further, a pump 76 is arranged in the middle of the pipe line 74. As a result, the developer that overflows into the developer recovery tank 16 and is collected is returned to the developer tank 14.

Further, one end of a drain pipe 78 is opened at the bottom of the developer tank 14, and the other end is opened to a drain tank 80. A pulp 82 is disposed in the middle of this drain pipe 78. By opening the valve 82, the developer in the developer tank 14 is discharged into the drain tank 80. Further, one end of a drain pipe 84 is opened at the bottom of the developer recovery tank 16, and the other end is opened to the drain tank 80. A valve 86 is disposed in the middle of this drain pipe 84. By opening the pulp 86, the developer in the developer recovery tank 16 is drained into the drain tank 8.
It is designed to be discharged into 0.

These circulation pump 58, replenisher pump 66, water supply pump 72, and pump 76 are connected to a control section 88 provided in the photosensitive planographic printing plate processing machine 10 so that their driving is controlled.

A detector 90 connected to the control section 88 is arranged on the insertion side of the pair of conveyance rollers 22. This detector 90 detects the 83rd plate 12 at the insertion port of the photosensitive planographic printing plate processor 10.
The controller 88 calculates the area of the PSwi 12 to be inserted into the photosensitive planographic printing plate processor IO by detecting the passage time of the PS plate and using the preset processing speed of the PS plate and the width dimension of the PS plate. It has become.

Further, a fatigue level detector 92 is disposed in the middle of the conduit 56, and measures the fatigue level of the developer by detecting the electrical conductivity of the developer. This fatigue level detector 92 is also connected to the control section 88.

Further, an interleaf sheet presence/absence detection sensor 94 is arranged on the PS plate 12 insertion side of the pair of transport rollers 22 .

This interleaving paper presence/absence detection sensor 94 is connected to the control unit 88, and when an interleaving paper is attached to the back side of the 83rd plate 12, the presence of this interleaving paper is transmitted to the control unit 88 by an electric signal. It has become. A contact type detection sensor or a non-contact type detection sensor can be used as the interleaving paper presence/absence detection sensor 94. For example, PSyJi is a contact type detection sensor.
, 12, and the resistance (impedance) value is measured by a resistance measuring device. The presence of a mount can be detected by utilizing the fact that this resistance value differs greatly between the presence and absence of the mount. There is also a non-contact type, for example, which irradiates light from a light source onto the back side of the 83 plate 12, receives the reflected light with a light receiver, and detects the reflectance. good.

- a warning device 96 is connected to the force control 88; 8
When an interleaving paper is attached to the back side of the third plate 12, this warning device 96 is activated by the control section 88 to issue a warning and notify the operator that an interleaving paper is attached. As this warning device 96, a buzzer or a warning light can be used.

Further, a heater 98 is arranged at the bottom of the developer tank 14 to heat the developer in the developer tank 14 to a predetermined temperature. Further, since this heater 98 is disposed over the entire area along the width direction of the 83 plate 12, the developer in the developer tank 14 is uniformly heated at least in the width direction of the PSFi, 12. Therefore, the PS plate can be uniformly developed while being transported.

Further, the surface of the developer in the developer tank 14 is covered with a float M100. As a result, the floating lid 100 prevents deterioration of the developer caused by the developer coming into contact with carbon dioxide gas in the air and neutralizing alkaline components in the developer. Since this lid 100 is molded from foamed nylon, the developing tank 14
It floats on the surface of the developer inside.

Also, because it is injection molded, the dimensional accuracy is good and it reliably follows the liquid level even when it rises and falls. Furthermore, it does not corrode or stain the surface even with strongly alkaline developing solutions.

As shown in FIG. 1, a developer recovery tank 16 and a washing tank 18
A pair of upper and lower conveyor rollers 102 are installed at the upper part of the side wall adjacent to the
is located. These pair of conveyor rollers 102 are supported by a pair of side plates (not shown), and are rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown) transmitted thereto. A recovery roller 104 disposed in a developer recovery tank 16 is in contact with the lower conveyance roller 102 . As a result, it is carried out by the 83rd plate 12 and transferred to the pair of conveying rollers 10.
The developer adhering to 2 is collected into a developer recovery tank 16.

Further, a metal roller 106 is disposed in contact with the upper conveyance roller 102 on the side of the washing tank 18, so that the water adhering to the conveyance roller 102 is squeezed and returned to the washing tank.

Inside the washing tank 18, a pair of upper and lower conveyance rollers 10B are arranged on the downstream side in the direction of conveyance of the 83-plate 12.

These pair of conveyance rollers 108 are also the pair of conveyance rollers 1
Like 02, it is supported by a pair of side plates (not shown),
Like the pair of conveyor rollers 102, it is rotated by driving means (not shown).

Therefore, the 83 plate 12 sent out from the developer tank 14 is conveyed while being held between the pair of conveyance rollers 102, inserted between the pair of conveyance rollers 108 of the washing tank 18, and sent out to the fat-free treatment tank 20. ing.

A guide roller 112 is arranged between the pair of transport rollers 102 and the pair of transport rollers 108, and a spray pipe 114 is arranged above it. spray pipe 1
Reference numeral 14 is formed of a hollow pipe, and a plurality of discharge ports are formed along the axial direction. Further, like the guide roller 32, the guide roller 112 has a plurality of rollers that constitute an elastic rotating member attached to the outer periphery of the spray pipe. For this reason, the spray pipe 114 is
It also has the function of supplying washing water to the plate and guiding the 23rd plate 12.

One end of a pipe line 110 is open at the bottom of the washing tank 18, and the other end communicates with a guide roller 112 that also serves as a spray pipe and a spray pipe 114. A circulation pump 116 is disposed in the middle of the pipe line 110. The washing water in the washing tank 18 is transferred to the guide roller 112 and the spray pipe 114.
The 23rd plate 12 is washed with water. In addition, a collecting roller 118 is attached to the lower pair of conveying rollers 102.
are placed in contact with each other. Thereby, the washing water adhering to the pair of transport rollers 102 is collected into the washing tank 18.

Further, one end of a pipe line 120 communicating with the water supply tank 68 is open at the upper part of the washing tank 18, and a water supply pump 122 is disposed in the middle of this pipe line 120. Therefore, the flush water in the water supply tank 68 is supplied into the flush tank 18 by the operation of the water supply pump 122.

Further, one end of a drain pipe 124 is open at the bottom of the washing tank 18, and the other end communicates with a drain tank 126. A valve 128 is disposed in the middle of this drain pipe 124. When the valve 12B is opened, the washing water in the washing tank 18 is discharged into the drain tank 126.

These circulation pump 116 and water supply pump 122 are connected to a control section 88 so that their operations are controlled.

A pair of conveyance rollers 130 are installed in the upper part of the fat-free treatment tank 20, which is disposed on the downstream side of the washing tank 18 in the conveyance direction of the 23rd plate 12.
is located. The pair of conveyance rollers 130 are spanned between a pair of side plates (not shown) and are rotatably supported. A driving force from a driving means (not shown) is transmitted to the pair of conveying rollers 130 to rotate them. A pair of conveyance rollers 10 are provided between the pair of conveyance rollers 130.
The 23rd edition 12 sent out from 8 is inserted.

A spray pipe 132 and a guide roller 134 similar to the spray pipe 114 and guide roller 112 arranged in the washing tank 18 are installed between the pair of conveyance rollers 130 and the pair of conveyance rollers 108 at the upper part of the fat-free treatment tank 20. It is located. These spray pipe 132 and guide roller 134 are communicated with one end of a conduit 136. Conduit 1
The other end of 36 penetrates the bottom of the desensitizing tank 20 and protrudes into the desensitizing tank 20 to open. A circulation pump 138 is disposed in the middle of the pipe line 136, and the operation of this circulation pump 138 causes the non-fat processing liquid in the non-fat processing tank 20 to flow through the spray pipe 132 and the guide roller 1.
34.

Further, one end of a conduit 144 is open above the desensitization treatment tank 20, and the other end of the conduit 144 communicates with the inside of the desensitization treatment liquid replenishment tank 146.

A replenisher pump 14B is disposed in the middle of the pipe 144, and the operation of this replenisher pump 14B supplies the degreasing treatment liquid from the desensitizer replenishment tank 146 into the degreaser treatment tank 20. It has become so.

Further, one end of a conduit 140 is open above the desensitization treatment tank 20, and the other end of the conduit 140 communicates with the inside of the water supply tank 68. A water supply pump 142 is installed in the middle of the pipe line 140.
is arranged, and water is supplied to the desensitization treatment tank 20 by its operation.

Further, one end of a drain pipe 150 is opened at the bottom of the desensitization treatment tank 20. The other end of this pipe line 150 communicates with a drain tank 152. A valve 154 is disposed in the middle of the drain tank 152. By opening this valve 154, the desensitizing treatment liquid in the desensitizing treatment tank 20 is discharged into the drain tank 152.

Circulation pump 13B, replenisher pump 148, water supply pump 1
42 is connected to a control section 88 so that its operation is controlled.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

The 23rd plate 12, on which an image has been printed by a printing device (not shown), is inserted into a pair of conveying rollers 22 of a photosensitive planographic printing plate processing machine.

At this time, the detector 94 detects whether or not the mount is attached to the back surface of the 83rd plate 12. If interleaving paper is attached, the conveyance of the 83 plate 12 is stopped, and at the same time, a warning is issued by the warning device 96.

If no interleaving paper is attached, the 83rd printing plate 12 is sent out from a pair of conveyance rollers 22, guided by guide rollers 42 and guide rollers 24, and sent into the developer tank 14. The 83rd plate 12 sent into the developer tank 14 is guided by guide rollers 26, 28, 30 and descends into the developer tank 14.
sent to the center of

The 83rd plate 12 sent to the center of the developing tank 14 is guided by the guide 52
and is inserted between a pair of conveying rollers 48. The 83rd plate 12 sent out from this pair of conveying rollers 48 is guided by rollers 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44, 4.
6 and is guided upward and sent out from the developer tank 14.

By this conveyance, the 83 plate 12 is immersed in the developer in the developer tank 14 and subjected to development processing.

Since the upper surface of the developer is covered with a floating lid 100 that can withstand strong alkalinity, the developer is prevented from absorbing carbon dioxide gas and accelerating deterioration due to exposure to air.

Further, the 83 plate 12 is sprayed with developer in the developer tank 14 by spray pipes 54 and 60.
The third plate 12 is ensured to be developed. Further, the developer discharged by the spray pipe 54.60 mixes with the developer in the developer tank 14, and the developer in the developer tank 14 is circulated by the circulation pump 58 and passes through the pipe 56 again to the spray pipe 54.60. It is designed to be discharged from

The 83rd plate 12 sent out from the developer tank 14 is inserted into a pair of transport rollers 102 of the developer recovery tank 16, and is nipped and transported. Due to this nipping, the developer adhering to the 83rd plate 12 is squeezed out by the pair of transport rollers 102 and drained. The squeezed developer passes along the surface of the lower pair of conveyance rollers 102 and is collected into the developer collection tank 16 by a collection roller 104. The developer recovery tank 16 also collects the developer that overflows when the developer replenisher and water are replenished into the developer tank 14 by driving the replenisher pump 66 and the water supply pump 72. The developer thus collected into the developer recovery tank 16 is returned to the developer tank 14 by the pump 76 through the pipe 74 as described above.

The 83rd plate 12 sent out from the pair of conveyance rollers 102 is guided by the guide roller 112 and transferred to the pair of conveyance rollers 108.
It is transported and inserted into.

During this conveyance, the guide roller 1 touches both sides of the 83rd plate 12.
12 and spray pipe 114
Washing water is supplied by. 83 by this washing water
The developer, precipitates, foreign matter, etc. adhering to both sides of the plate 12 are washed away.

The 83rd plate 12 sent out from the pair of transport rollers 10B is guided by guide rollers 134 and inserted into the pair of transport rollers 130. Immediately before being inserted into the pair of conveyance rollers 130, the 83rd plate 12 is sprayed with a spray pipe 132 on both sides.
A desensitizing treatment liquid is applied by the spray pipe of the guide roller 134. The surface of the 28 plate 120 is protected by applying this desensitization treatment liquid.

When a large number of PS plates are developed in a developer tank, the developer becomes exhausted. The degree of fatigue of the developer can be estimated by detecting the area of the PS plate to be processed with the detector 90 and calculating it with the control section 88. However, this has the disadvantage that the degree of fatigue of the developer varies depending on the ratio of the area of the image area to the area of the non-image area of the 83 plate 12. (The larger the area of the image area, the greater the fatigue of the developer.) There is also a method of measuring the degree of fatigue by detecting the electrical conductivity of the developer using the detector 92.

However, the detector 92 also contains the dissolved precipitate of the 83rd version 12,
Precipitates of developer components may adhere, and an abnormality may occur in the electrical conductivity detected by the detector 92. Therefore, in order to accurately detect the degree of fatigue of the developer, a normal detector 90 is used.
and detector 92 are used together. Based on this result, the controller 88 controls the replenisher pump 66 and the water supply pump 72.
The replenisher pump 66 is operated to supply a replenishing amount of developer replenisher (undiluted solution) from the developer replenishment tank 62 and water at a constant rate from the water supply tank 68 according to the developer fatigue level. and the water supply pump 72 is activated. If there is a difference between the value of the required replenisher amount detected by the detector 90 and calculated from the insertion area of psit2 and the value of the required replenisher amount calculated from the electrical conductivity of the developer detected by the detector 92. If an abnormal value is shown, a warning will be issued. Alternatively, as described below, the replenishment method can be automatically or manually switched to a replenishment method based on the insertion area of the PS plate 12.

That is, the area of the inserted PS plate 12 is detected by the detector 90, and the replenisher pump 6 is activated based on this detection result.
6 and the operating time of the water supply pump 72 are calculated, PSyJi,
The replenisher pump 66 and the water supply pump 72 are operated to supply the developer replenisher in an amount corresponding to the area of the developer replenisher 12.

- The power washing tank 18 is replenished with washing water by a water supply pump 122, and the desensitization treatment tank 20 is replenished with water by a replenisher pump 148.
Accordingly, water is replenished at a constant rate using the fat-free treatment liquid and the water supply pump 142.

Is each processing solution and water limited to the amount of replenishment that corresponds to the processing amount of PS version 12? It is controlled by the first part 88.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, in the present invention, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate on which an image has been printed is transported into a developer tank and immersed in a developer contained in the developer tank for development processing. This photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing machine is characterized in that a floating lid having alkali resistance is provided above the surface of the processing solution in the developer tank, so that deterioration of the developer can be prevented. This excellent effect can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a photosensitive planographic printing plate processor according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Photosensitive planographic printing plate processing machine, 12... Photosensitive planographic printing plate (28th edition), 14... Developer tank, 100... Floating lid.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing machine for transporting a photosensitive lithographic printing plate on which an image has been printed into a processing tank and immersing it in a processing solution contained in the processing tank for processing, A photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing machine, characterized in that a floating lid having alkali resistance is provided above the surface of the processing liquid in the processing tank.