JPH02245752A - Plate inspecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow the production of good color proofs and to enable an operator to easily and exactly check what operation the above device makes by providing a control circuit to control respective processing stages and a display device to display the respective stages. CONSTITUTION:The control circuit 110 receives the signals from a sensor S 1 to sensor S 12 and controls the scanning of, for example, a scanning exposing device 14 and the switching of filters in this device, the turning over of an overlay sheet in a color plate film loading device 16 and the transportation of a photosensitive material in a processing device 22, etc., respectively. A timer operates when the photosensitive material passes the sensor S 12 of the processing device 24. LEDs (f) to (j) of a process display LED 108 are successively lighted to display the progressing condition of the processing stage of the photosensitive material A in the processing device 24 in accordance with the elapsed time thereof. The production of the color proofs having high quality is executed in this way and the operator is able to recognize in what stage the production of the color proofs exists at all times.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a plate inspection device for color film used in a photolithography process.

In the present invention, the color plate film refers to a color separation halftone negative or positive film.

<Conventional technology> Color printed matter is used for various books, catalogs, magazines, leaflets,
Used for posters, etc.

Such color printed matter usually has cyan (hereinafter referred to as C), magenta (hereinafter referred to as M),
The three primary colors of yellow (hereinafter referred to as Y) and ink (sumi)
(hereinafter referred to as Bk), create a color plate film with four halftone dots corresponding to each color, and use this color plate film to
, Y and Bk.
It is produced by overprinting each color of ink on paper using this printing plate.

In such color printing, proof printing is usually performed to obtain final approval from the client before the actual printing.

Proof printing is a method in which a proof plate is actually created using a 25th plate, etc., and then a color print is made on actual paper using a proofing machine, and the color print is inspected for errors in characters, patterns, etc., color tone, etc. .

Therefore, although there is an advantage that inspection can be carried out using a printed matter substantially similar to the intended printed matter, it is very time consuming, laborious, and costly. Furthermore, in the actual proofreading process, if there are mistakes or changes in characters, figures, or other patterns, it is necessary to go back to the previous stage of the film process and make corrections.

For this reason, before making a proof plate or an actual printing plate (printing plate), the resulting printed matter is inspected for errors in characters, layout, images, color tone, etc. in the state of the color plate film, and then corrected. Simple proofreading, so-called plate inspection, is being carried out.

Such plate inspection methods include a method in which a color plate film is printed on a diazo photosensitive material to form an image and this image is inspected for plate inspection, and a method in which the image of the color plate film is reproduced on a CRT for plate inspection. Various methods have been proposed, but photographic plate inspection methods are attracting attention as a method for easily producing and inspecting hard copies that are close to the intended printed matter. Since it is possible to perform plate inspection by making a hard copy that is close to the printed matter, it is possible to perform plate inspection by subjecting two sheets of silver halide photographic material to multiple exposures using a color plate film, and then wet-processing this material. A method of producing a color photograph almost similar to the printed matter and performing plate inspection is attracting attention.

This method basically involves overlaying each color positive film corresponding to the three primary colors mentioned above on a Bk film, and sequentially exposing the sheets of photosensitive material to a predetermined light source through a complementary color filter. . After multiple exposure corresponding to three colors is completed, the exposed photosensitive material is then subjected to processing such as development and fixing to produce a color photograph as a color proof.

Since the color proof obtained in this way is almost similar to the intended printed material, plate inspection can be carried out very well, and moreover, the color proof can be kept at hand.

Furthermore, according to the above method, producing a color photograph as a color proof is much easier than producing a proof.

In this method, a silver salt photographic light-sensitive material is multiple-exposed using a color plate film to produce a color photograph as a color proof, and the plate is inspected. There are several methods. However, a contact exposure method in which the light-sensitive material and the color plate film are exposed in close contact with each other is preferred because it has excellent resolution, color reproducibility, etc., and provides a color proof that is closer to the intended printed material.

In a plate inspection device using contact exposure, normally the photosensitive material is suctioned and fixed on the photosensitive material holder, then a color plate film is overlaid, both are covered with an overlay sheet, and this overlay sheet is suctioned and fixed on the photosensitive material holder. By doing so, the color plate film and the photosensitive material are brought into close contact with each other.

<Problems to be solved by the invention> In a contact exposure type plate inspection device using such a silver salt photographic light-sensitive material, it is desirable that the device be small and that operations such as changing the color plate film can be performed easily. It is required to be able to quickly produce color proofs.

In particular, in order to produce a color proof, it is necessary to replace the color plate film at least three times and perform exposure while ensuring that the photosensitive material is shielded from light. required to be able to do so.

In view of the above facts, the present inventors have previously filed a patent application filed in 1986-3.
In No. 14191, a silver salt photographic plate inspection device using contact exposure was proposed, which suitably solved the above-mentioned problems.

In this device, the color plate film loading device has an overlay sheet that can be reversed and moved above and below the color plate film, and the color plate film loading device is configured to be able to be pulled out to the outside of the device, so that the color plate film can be replaced. In addition, the workability of contacting the photosensitive material has been greatly improved, and the exposure system, such as the scanning exposure device, pull-out color film loading device, and contact device, can be placed above the processing device for exposed photosensitive materials. Due to this arrangement, the entire device can be made compact and the upper part of the device can be used effectively.

Moreover, wet processing can be performed using the same type of processing liquid, whether it is a positive/positive photosensitive material compatible with color plate positive film or a negative/positive photosensitive material compatible with color plate negative film. It has excellent functions.

However, with the spread of plate inspection equipment in recent years, color proof production has become even faster, color proof production work, especially color plate film replacement work, and exposure automation and simplification. It is desirable to be able to verify the operating status of the device.

An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, and to provide a silver halide photographic plate inspection device using a contact exposure method, which can quickly set a color plate film with excellent workability. To provide a plate inspection device which can automatically produce a good color proof except for the operation and replacement, and allows an operator to easily and accurately confirm what kind of operation the device is performing.

Means to solve problems〉 In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides 3y! .

At least one color plate film corresponding to the three primary colors and/or the black plate is stacked in close contact with the photosensitive material, and contact exposure is carried out sequentially on the color plate films corresponding to the three primary colors and/or the black plate. A plate inspection device that multiple-exposes the photosensitive material and processes the multiple-exposed photosensitive material with a processing solution to produce a color proof for plate inspection, the photosensitive material in close contact with the color plate film being scanned and exposed. a scanning exposure device that moves vertically so that it is positioned below the color plate film when loading or replacing the color plate film, and above the color plate film when contact exposure is performed between the color plate film and the photosensitive material; a color plate film loading device having an overlay sheet that can be pulled out to the outside of the plate inspection device for loading the color plate film in a predetermined position; a liftable photosensitive material holding table configured to be located at the bottom when the photosensitive material and the color plate film are placed, at the top when the photosensitive material and the color plate film are in close contact with each other, and at the middle part when the overlay sheet is reversed; and the color plate film. a light shielding film provided under the loading device and configured to shield the photosensitive material held on the photosensitive material holding table from light at least when the color plate film loading device is pulled out of the plate inspection device; , a sensor that detects whether the photosensitive material holder is located at the bottom, middle, or top; and a sensor that detects whether the overlay sheet is located above or below the color plate film. a sensor for confirming that the light-shielding film blocks light from the photosensitive material; and a sensor for confirming that the color plate film loading device is placed at a predetermined position within the plate inspection device; A step of drawing out the photosensitive material from a magazine attached to the main body of the plate inspection device, a step of cutting the drawn out photosensitive material to a required length, and a step of placing the sheet-like photosensitive material at a predetermined position on the photosensitive material holding table. and holding the color plate in a continuous sequence, and after loading at least one color plate film into the color plate film loading device, the color plate film loading device is moved to a predetermined position in the plate inspection device. After loading, based on the information detected from each sensor, the following steps are performed: opening of the light-shielding film; reversing the overlay sheet from the bottom to the top of the color plate film; and moving the photosensitive material holder from the middle to the top. Close contact between the photosensitive material, the color plate film, and the overlay sheet on the photosensitive material holder by rising - close exposure - descent from the top of the photosensitive material holder to the middle part - the color plate of the overlay sheet The contact exposure step consisting of reversing the film from the top to the bottom → blocking the light shielding film and switching the color filter of the scanning exposure device is controlled as a continuous sequence, and this contact exposure step is controlled according to the type of photosensitive material cultivated. The process is controlled to be repeated 3 or 4 times, and the exposed photosensitive material is further developed, fixed, washed, and
A plate inspection device is provided, characterized in that it is provided with a control circuit that controls each processing step to perform a drying process, and a display device that displays each of the steps.

<Embodiments> The plate inspection apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a plate inspection device according to the present invention.As shown in the figure, the plate inspection device 10 of the present invention includes a housing 12,
At the top of the housing 12 there is a movable scanning exposure device 14, a color plate film loading device 16 that can be pulled out in the scanning direction for loading the color plate film S into a predetermined position, and a color plate film loading device 16 for loading the photosensitive material A in the scanning direction. It is equipped with a contacting device 18 for transporting the color plate film S and the photosensitive material A in close contact with each other in orthogonal directions, and a photosensitive material supplying device 20 for supplying the photosensitive material A to the side of the contacting device 18. , housing 12
At the bottom, there is a switchback mechanism 22 for temporarily holding the exposed photosensitive material A on the side, and a switchback mechanism 22 for temporarily holding the exposed photosensitive material A, and a photosensitive material corresponding to the color plate positive film and a photosensitive material corresponding to the color plate negative film. Even if treated with the same treatment solution,
It has a processing device 24 for color proofing.

Further, a vapor shutter 72 is disposed between the contact device 18 and the switchback mechanism 22, and is configured to shield the contact device 18 and the processing device 24.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the scanning exposure device 14 has a linear light source 26 and a same-magnification fiber lens array 28 located directly below the linear light source 26 in a light-shielding box 30, and is arranged directly below the fiber lens array 28. a light source unit 34 that is reciprocally movable in the scanning direction (arrow B direction or arrow C direction) and has a switchable filter 32 and a shutter 33 supported on both sides of the box body 30; A movable squeeze roller 36, a drive screw 38 that is a means for moving the box 30 of the light source unit 34 and the squeeze roller 36, a drive source 40 thereof, and a transmission means 42 that transmits the driving force of the drive source 40 to the drive screw 38. has.

The linear light source 26 is not particularly limited and may be of any type as long as it has a sufficient amount of light; for example, a fluorescent lamp,
Examples include halogen lamps.

The filter 32 has three primary colors, for example, red (R) and green (G).
, a blue-violet (B) color filter, and is configured to be switched depending on the color plate film loaded.

As shown in FIG. 3, the squeeze roller 36 is used to release residual air when the photosensitive material A and the color plate film S are vacuum-adhesively fixed to the photosensitive material holding table 46 using an overlay sheet 44, which will be described later. When in operation, the roller moves downward and presses the overlay sheet 44 and the photosensitive material A5 color plate film S against the photosensitive material holding table 46 by a spring or the like (not shown), and presses it in the direction of arrow B or C in FIG. move in the direction.

Although the drive screw 38 is used as the moving means for the light source unit 34 and the squeeze roller 36, the present invention is not limited to this, and any known moving means such as a wire, gear, or ball screw can be used.

Further, as the drive source 40, any motor that can move the light source unit 34 at a constant speed can be used, and a high precision motor such as a servo motor or a stepping motor is preferable.

The transmission means 42 may be any means as long as it can reliably transmit the driving force of the drive source 40, and known transmission means such as belt transmission, gear transmission, chain transmission, etc. can be used.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the color film loading device 16 includes a front plate 48 with a handle 47, a bottom plate 50 having an opening 49 into which the photosensitive material holding table 46 is fitted, and a bottom plate 5.
A roller 52a rotatably supported by support members standing upright in front and behind the opening 49 on the top of the opening 49 (on the front plate 48 side and the opposite side)
and 52b, and two belts 54 and 54 stretched across rollers 52a and 52b with an interval wider than at least the left and right (scanning direction) width of the photosensitive material holding rack 46, and attached to two wooden belts 54.54. a reversible overlay sheet 44 of a predetermined size; a positioning pin stand 56 provided close to the roller 52a on the front plate 48 side between rollers 52a and 52b; It has a plurality of positioning pins 58, 58, etc. for positioning and fixing the color plate film S, and is configured to be able to be pulled out from the housing 12 by a handle 47 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning direction. be done.

The color plate film loading device 16 also includes sensors S1 and S2 for detecting whether the overlay sheet 44 is positioned above or below the color plate film S, and the color plate film loading device 1
A sensor S3 is arranged to confirm that the housing 12 is placed in a predetermined position within the housing 12.

The overlay sheet 44 is a transparent or light-transmitting sheet, and as shown in FIG.
Photosensitive material A on the photosensitive material holding stand 46 on the upper side of b,
Any device that covers the color plate film S and tightly fixes it will suffice, but as shown in FIG. When setting the overlay sheet 44 on the positioning pins 58 of the stand 56, the overlay sheet 44 is inverted and supports the color plate film S.

Furthermore, after exposure, the overlay sheet 44 can be reversed and used to separate the color plate film S and the photosensitive material A that are in close contact with each other.

Sensors sf and S2 are arranged near the roller 52b of the color plate film loading device 16 to detect whether the overlay sheet 44 is above or below the color plate film S. In the plate inspection apparatus 10 of the present invention, by detecting the position of the overlay sheet 44 using the sensors S1 and S2, the light-shielding film 68 can be raised and lowered, as will be described later, by the position of the overlay sheet 44.
etc.

The positioning pin stand 56 is stretched across the bottom plate 50 between the belts 54.54 stretched over the rollers 52a and 52b, parallel to the rollers 52a, and so that the belts 54.54 and the overlay sheet 44 can pass therethrough.

The adhesion device 18 includes a vertically movable photosensitive material holder 46 for tightly fixing the photosensitive material A, the color plate film S, and the overlay sheet 44, and a number of unillustrated devices provided on the photosensitive material holder 46. A vacuum device 60 consisting of small holes and grooves, a vacuum pump 60a for extracting air from these small holes and grooves, and its piping 60b, and the like, and a vacuum device 60 that moves the photosensitive material A supplied from the photosensitive material supply device 20 to a predetermined position on the photosensitive material holding table 46. It has a transport means 62 for transporting the exposed photosensitive material A to the position , and a transport means 64 for transporting the exposed photosensitive material A.

Further, the contact device 18 includes a top plate 66 having an opening 65 corresponding to the opening 49 of the bottom plate 5-0, and a light shielding device 1] which opens and closes the opening 65 when loading the color plate film loading device 16. 6
8 blocks light even when the color plate film loading device 16 is pulled out.

Note that the color plate film loading device 16 is disposed at a predetermined position in the housing 12 on the ceiling 66 at the inner back (hereinafter referred to as the back direction) opposite to the direction in which the color plate film loading device 16 is pulled out. A sensor S3 is arranged to confirm the following. In the present invention, the sensor S3 is configured to confirm the position of the color film loading device 16 and to control opening and closing of the light shielding film 68.

The photosensitive material holding table 46 is placed at the bottom as shown in FIG. 1 when the photosensitive material A is installed and when it is transported after exposure.
4 in close contact with each other, and when scanning exposure is performed, it rises to the top as shown in FIG. Further, when replacing the color plate film S in multiple exposure or reversing the overlay sheet 44, the photosensitive material holder 46 is disposed at the intermediate portion directly below the light shielding film 68.

The contact device 18 includes a sensor S4 that detects that the photosensitive material holding table 46 is at the bottom, a sensor S5 that detects that it is in the middle, and a sensor S6 (above the ceiling 66) that detects that it is at the top. It controls the raising and lowering of the photosensitive material holding table 46, the reversal of the overlay sheet 44, and the opening and closing of the light shielding film 68. Also, a sensor S is provided on the photosensitive material holding table 46 to confirm that the photosensitive material A is placed at a predetermined position.
7 is placed.

Note that when the photosensitive material A is exposed multiple times with images of different color plates S, the photosensitive material A is closely fixed to the photosensitive material holder 46 until all exposures are completed.

The light shielding film 68 is used to close the opening 65 and shield the photosensitive material A from light when replacing the color plate film, and the opening 65 is opened and closed by various means such as a winding type.

Further, a sensor S8 is arranged in the depth direction of the lower surface of the ceiling 66 to confirm that the light shielding film 68 is closed and shields the photosensitive material A from light.

The plate inspection device 10 of the present invention uses the light shielding film 6 at this sensor S8.
8 is not confirmed, the color plate film loading device 16
It is configured such that it cannot be drawn out of the housing 12.

The conveying means 62 is arranged between the photosensitive material holding table 46 and the photosensitive material supplying device 20 in front of the photosensitive material holding table 46 in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material A (hereinafter, the front is referred to as the front in the conveying direction of the photosensitive material A). Ru.

The conveying means 62 transports the photosensitive material A supplied from the photosensitive material supply device 20 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction.
, and conveys it to a predetermined position on the photosensitive material holding table 46. In FIG. 1, a plurality of vertically movable suction cups 62a, 62a, . 62b, a wire 62c as a moving means, and a roller 62d.
, 82d and their driving source (not shown).

A conveying means 64 for conveying the exposed photosensitive material A that has been exposed to light to the switchback mechanism 22 is arranged behind the photosensitive material holding table 46 .

The conveying means 64 is a nip roller 64a.

84b and 64c, and when the photosensitive material A in the exposure method is conveyed to the nip roller 64a by the conveyance means 62, the photosensitive material A is then conveyed to the switchback mechanism 22.

Note that a sensor S9 is disposed behind the nip roller 64c, detects that the photosensitive material has been conveyed, and moves a paper shutter 72, which will be described later, to open the conveyance path for the photosensitive material A.

As described above, the photosensitive material supply device 20 is arranged on the side of the housing 12 of the plate inspection device 10.

The photosensitive material supply device 20 has a magazine 74 in which the photosensitive material A is housed in a roll shape removably attached therein.
An opening/closing lid 75 is provided on the outside of the magazine 74.

Slit 74 at the outlet for photosensitive material A of magazine 74
A take-out roller 76a corresponds to a.

76b is provided, and the take-out roller 76a is movable upward, and when replacing the magazine, moves upward and removes the magazine 74.
The photosensitive material A slightly protruding from the slit 74a can be easily inserted between the take-out rollers 76a and 76b, and after being inserted, it can be moved downward and securely held.

Note that a sensor SIO is arranged between the take-out rollers 76a, 76b and the slit 74a to confirm that the photosensitive material A is being supplied to the take-out rollers 76a, 76b.

A cutter 7 is installed downstream of these take-out rollers 76a and 76b.
8 is arranged, and when the leading end of the photosensitive material A is adsorbed and conveyed by the conveying means 62 of the contacting device 18, it is cut to a required length.

Here, a sensor detects an upper position, which is a standby position and a conveyance position, of the suction cup 62a of the conveying means 62, and a lower position, which is a device for sucking the photosensitive material A, especially its tip;
A sensor detects the 8-movement position of the suction cup 62a in the transport direction, a sensor detects the length of the photosensitive material A pulled out according to the selected size, a sensor detects the position of the cutter 78, etc., when the photosensitive material A is rolled. When the rotated magazine 74 is set, the sensors necessary to automatically control the process of drawing out the photosensitive material A, cutting it, and suctioning and fixing it to a predetermined position on the photosensitive material holding table 46 are installed as shown in FIG. Although not shown in the figure, it goes without saying that as many as necessary are provided.

Further, in the present invention, a sensor may be further provided to smooth these steps.

A vapor shutter 7 is provided behind the conveying means 64 of the contact device 18.
2 is arranged, and a switchback mechanism 22 is arranged behind it.

The vapor shutter 72 is disposed between the conveying means 64 and the switchback mechanism 22, and is normally disposed at the position shown in the figure to shield the contact device 18 from the processing device 24, and to close the contact device 18 from the processing device 24.
When conveyance of the exposed photosensitive material A is confirmed at 9, the drive device 72a moves 8 in the direction of the arrow to open the conveyance path for the photosensitive material A.

Behind the adhesion device 18 after passing through the paper shirt tough 2,
A switchback mechanism 22 is arranged.

The switchback mechanism 22 includes nip rollers 80a, 80
b, nip belt conveyors 82a, 82b, and nip roller 80a.

It is composed of a switching guide 84 provided on a partition wall 83 above the processing device 80b and a sensor Sit for detecting the leading end of the exposed photosensitive material A conveyed from the contact device 18.

The exposed photosensitive material A conveyed from the contact device 18 is transferred to the nip rollers 80a, 80b and the nip belt conveyor 8.
2a, 82b and descends, and when the leading edge of the photosensitive material is detected by the sensor Sit, the conveyance is stopped and the switching guide 8
4 is switched, the nip rollers 80a, 80b and the nip belt conveyors 82a, 82b are reversed, and the photosensitive material A is conveyed to the processing device 24.

The processing device 24 includes a developing tank 86, a bleaching/fixing tank 88, and washing tanks 90 and 91, which are successively provided, and a photosensitive material that has been developed, bleached, fixed, and washed with a processing solution filled into these tanks. The material A is composed of a drying device 92 for drying the material A, and is configured to be delivered as a color proof to a take-out tray 94 protruding from the housing 12 of the plate inspection device 10 to the outside. Developing tank 86, bleaching/fixing tank 88, washing tank 9
A replenisher storage section 96 for storing a replenisher supply bottle is provided below 0.91.

The processing liquid used here can be used to process both positive color film and negative color film.

A sensor 312 is placed at the entrance of the processing device 24 .
This sensor S12 activates a timer (not shown) when the leading end of the photosensitive material passes, and it is possible to detect which processing step of the processing device 24 the photosensitive material A is in based on the passing time of the photosensitive material A.

In addition, in the present invention, there is no particular limitation on each of the above-mentioned sensors, such as a photoelectric type, a mechanical type with a gate, etc.
Various sensors are applicable.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the operation panel 100 of the plate inspection apparatus 10 of the present invention.

In the illustrated example, the operation panel 100 includes a plate inspection device 1
0 main power switch 102, an exposure start switch 104 that starts exposure of the photosensitive material A, a photosensitive material set switch 106 that transports and suction-fixes the photosensitive material to the photosensitive material holding table 46, It has a process display LED tOa that displays whether the process is completed, and a filter display LED 112 that displays the filter 32 inserted by the scanning exposure device 14.

The operation of each switch and the lighting of the process display LED 108 and filter display LED 112 will be explained later when the operation of the plate inspection device 10 is explained.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a control circuit 110 that controls the plate inspection apparatus 10 of the present invention.

The control circuit 110 of the plate inspection apparatus 10 of the present invention receives signals from the above-mentioned sensors S1 to S12, and controls, for example, the scanning and switching of the filter 32 in the scanning exposure device 14 and the switching of the filter 32 in the color film loading device 16. The switchback mechanism 22 controls the reversal of the overlay sheet 44, the lifting and lowering of the photosensitive material holding table 46 and the opening and closing of the light shielding film 68 in the adhesion device 18, and the operation of the conveying rollers 76a, 76b and cutter 78 in the photosensitive material supplying device 20. In the processing device 22, the conveyance of the photosensitive material A and the switching guide 84 are controlled, and in the processing device 22, the conveyance of the photosensitive material A and the like are controlled.

In addition, the control circuit 110 operates as follows: r Opening of the light-shielding film 68 -> Inversion of the overlay sheet 44 from the lower part of the color plate S to the upper part - Rise of the photosensitive material holding stand 46 from the middle part to the uppermost part to the top of the photosensitive material holding stand 44 photosensitive material A, color plate film S, and overlay sheet 4
4 - close exposure - descent from the top of the photosensitive material holder 46 to the middle part - reversal of the overlay sheet 44 from the top to the bottom of the color plate film S - shielding of the light shielding film 68 - color of the scanning exposure device 14 The plate inspection device 10 is controlled to control the contact exposure process consisting of switching the filter 32 as a continuous sequence, and repeat this sequence three to four times depending on the type of photosensitive material loaded in the photosensitive material supply device 20. Control.

The operation control of the plate inspection apparatus 10 by the control circuit 110 will be described in detail later when the operation of the plate inspection apparatus is explained.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart for explaining the operation of the plate inspection apparatus 10 of the present invention, and the operation of the plate inspection apparatus 10 of the present invention, the operation panel 100 thereof, and the operation control of the plate inspection apparatus 10 by the control circuit 110 will be described. .

When the main power switch 102 of the operation panel 100 is pressed, the ohm-up of the processing device 24 is started, and the light source 26 is turned on.
is lit.

The light source 26 is stabilized, the warm-up of the processing device 24 is completed, and the photosensitive material A is taken out by the sensor S10 and transferred to the roller 7.
6a, 76b, and the sensor S
When it is confirmed in step 4 that the photosensitive material holding table 46 is placed at the bottom, the LEDa of the process display LED 108 is
is lit, and the lamp of the photosensitive material set switch 106 is also lit.

Next, when the type of photosensitive material to be loaded into the photosensitive material supply unit 20 is input by a means not shown, and the photosensitive material set switch 106 is pressed, the take-out rollers 76a, 76b are removed from the magazine leaf 4 of the photosensitive material supply device 20. The photosensitive material A is pulled out and sent to the contact device 18.

When the leading edge of the photosensitive material A reaches the position of the suction cup 62a of the conveying means 62, the suction cup 62a descends and the leading edge of the photosensitive material A is sucked, and the suction cup 62a rises to absorb the suction cup 62a of the conveying means 62. The conveying means 62 stops at a position corresponding to the size of the photosensitive material A, and the cutter 78 cuts the photosensitive material A.
Here, in the process display LED 108, LEDa
goes out and LEDb lights up.

When cutting of the photosensitive material A is completed, the process display LED1
08 LEDb goes out and LEDc lights up, the conveyance means 62 moves again, conveys it to a predetermined position on the photosensitive material holding table 46 and stops, and the suction cup 62a releases the photosensitive material A.
The conveying means 62 returns to its original position.

Next, the vacuum device 60 is operated to suck the photosensitive material A to a predetermined position on the photosensitive material holding table 46 and fix it in close contact therewith.

On the other hand, the color plate film loading device 16 is pulled out as shown in FIG. 4, and the color plate film S is fixed onto the positioning pin 58 of the positioning pin stand 56. At this time, the overlay sheet 44 is on the lower side and supports the color plate film S.

When the color film loading device 16 is loaded into a predetermined position within the housing 12, the lamp of the exposure start switch 104 is turned on.

Next, when the exposure start switch 104 is pressed, the sensor S
At step 7, it is confirmed that the photosensitive material A on the photosensitive material holding table 46 is placed at a predetermined position, and at sensor S3, it is confirmed that the color plate film loading device 16 is loaded at a predetermined position in the housing 12. It is confirmed that the photosensitive material holding table 46 is connected to the light shielding film 6.
It rises to the middle part just below 8.

When the sensor S5 confirms that the photosensitive material holding table 46 has been raised to the intermediate position, the light shielding film 68 is opened, the LED c of the process display LED 108 is turned off and the LED d is turned on, and the overlay sheet 44 is Roller 52a.

It is reversed by the rotation of 52b and covers the upper side of the color plate film S.

When it is confirmed by the sensor S1 that the overlay sheet 44 has been reversed onto the top of the color plate film S, the photosensitive material holding table 46 further rises to the top shown in FIG.
All three of the photosensitive material A, color plate film S, and overlay sheet 44 on the photosensitive material holding table 46 can be brought into close contact with each other.

When the sensor S6 confirms that the photosensitive material holding table 46 has risen to the top, the vacuum device 6° suctions and fixes the overlay sheet 44 to the photosensitive material holding table 46, thereby removing the photosensitive material A and the color plate. Then, the squeeze roller 36 squeezes the upper side of the overlay sheet 44 in the direction of arrow B (FIG. 3) to ensure that the photosensitive material and the color printing film S are brought into close contact with each other.

After squeezing, when the photosensitive material A and the color plate film S come into close contact with each other, the light source unit 34 moves in the direction of arrow C (FIG. 3) to perform scanning exposure. At this time, the filter 32 is set with a color filter corresponding to the color plate film S, and the filter display LE is displayed.
It is displayed on D112.

After the exposure is completed, the photosensitive material holding table 46 is lowered to the middle part,
When the sensor S5 confirms that the photosensitive material holding table 46 has descended to the middle part, the vacuum device 60 moves the color plate film S
Then, the overlay sheet 44 is released from suction and close contact, and the overlay sheet 44 is reversed to the lower part of the color plate film S, and the color plate film S is separated from the photosensitive material A, which continues to be suctioned and fixed by the vacuum device 60.

When the Senna S2 confirms that the overlay sheet 44 has been reversed to the lower part of the color printing film S, the light-shielding film 68 closes and blocks light from the photosensitive material A, and the Senna S8 confirms that the light-shielding film 68 is closed. Once confirmed, the color plate film loading device 16 can be pulled out of the housing.

- When the exposure of the color plate film S is completed, the color plate film loading device 16 is pulled out, another color plate film S is loaded into the color plate film loading device 16, and the color plate film loading device 16 is moved into the housing 12. When loaded in a predetermined position and the exposure start switch 104 is pressed again, the scanning exposure device 14
The filter 32 is switched to one corresponding to the color plate film S, and is displayed on the filter display LED 112, and the sensor S3
The position of the color film loading device 16 is confirmed at , the light shielding film 68 is opened, and exposure is performed in the same manner.

As described above, the required number of exposures is performed according to the type of photosensitive material input earlier. In other words, if the photosensitive material is a positive/positive photosensitive material, each of C-M-Y is applied to the Bk color plate S. After three exposures of color film S are sequentially layered, or four exposures of C-M-Y and Bk color film S if the photosensitive material is a negative/positive photosensitive material, the photosensitive material is held. The platform 46 descends to the bottom, and this is the sensor S4.
When confirmed, the vacuum device 60 releases the suction fixation of the exposed photosensitive material A.

Next, the LEDd of the process display LED 108 is turned off and the LEDe is turned on, and the conveying device 61 conveys the exposed photosensitive material A to the conveying means 64, and the nip roller 64a of the conveying means 64 nip the tip of the exposed photosensitive material A. Start transportation.

When the leading edge of the photosensitive material A is detected by the sensor S9, the vapor shutter 72 opens and the photosensitive material A is transferred to the conveying means 64.
is sent from the contact device 18 to the switchback mechanism 22.

In the switchback mechanism 22, the switching guide 84 rotates in the direction of the arrow, and the photosensitive material A is transferred to the nip roller 8.
0a, 80b and nip belt conveyor 82a, 8
It is conveyed downward at 2b.

When the leading end of the photosensitive material A is detected by the sensor Sll, the paper shutter 72 closes, and when the rear end of the photosensitive material A reaches a predetermined position, each nip roller 80a, 80b is closed.
stops, and conveyance of the photosensitive material A is stopped.

Next, when the switching guide 84 rotates to the illustrated position and switches the conveyance path, the nip rollers 80a, 80b and the nip belt conveyors 82a, 82b are reversed to convey the photosensitive material A upward, and the photosensitive material is transferred to the processing device 24. transported.

In the processing device 24, the photosensitive material A is developed in a developing tank 86, bleached and fixed in a bleaching/fixing tank 88, and washed in washing tanks 90, 9.
After being sufficiently washed with water in step 1, it is sufficiently dried in a drying device 92 and sent out to a take-out tray 94 as a color proof.

Note that when the photosensitive material A passes the sensor S12 of the processing device 24, a timer (not shown) is activated, and the LEDs f to j of the process display LED 108 are sequentially lit according to the elapsed time, and the photosensitive material in the processing device 22 is processed. The progress status of the processing step of A is displayed.

Note that when LEDf is turned on, LEDa and the lamp of the photosensitive material setting switch 106 are turned on again, making it possible to produce the next color proof.

In addition, the present invention detects and displays the size of the photosensitive material A, detects and displays the remaining amount of the photosensitive material A, detects and displays the occurrence of jamming in each part, the amount of each processing liquid,
Detection and display of deterioration, detection and display of ohm-up in each part, detection and display of maintenance necessity in each part, detection and display of completion of preparation and operation in each process, etc. of each part of the plate inspection device 10. Sensors, displays, etc. may be provided to allow the process to proceed smoothly.

Although the plate inspection device according to the present invention is basically configured as described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various improvements and changes in design can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course, this is possible.

<Effects of the Invention> Since the plate inspection device of the present invention has the above-mentioned predetermined steps, the plate inspection device of the present invention can be installed and loaded in the pull-out color film loading device, or by repeating this operation, and the rest can be done automatically. By exposing one sheet of photosensitive material multiple times to one sheet or multiple color plates of the same type, it is possible to easily and easily produce color proofs with good color tone and high image quality using the same ease as using a general copying machine. The color plate film can be inspected.

Further, by arranging the exposure system such as the scanning exposure device, pull-out color plate film loading device, and contact device above the processing device, the entire device can be made compact and the upper part of the device can be used effectively.

Furthermore, according to the plate inspection device of the present invention, the operator can:
You can see which stage of color proof production is in the palm of your hand.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a plate inspection device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic partial vertical cross-sectional view of the plate inspection device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic partial vertical cross-sectional view showing the state of close contact between the color plate film and the photosensitive material of the plate inspection device according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic partial vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the color plate film loading device of the plate inspection apparatus according to the present invention is pulled out. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation panel of the plate inspection device according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control system of a control circuit of a plate inspection apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the plate inspection device according to the present invention. Explanation of symbols 10...plate inspection device, 12...housing, 1
4... Scanning exposure device, 16... Color film loading device, 18... Contact device, 20... Photosensitive material supply device, 22... Switchback mechanism, 24... Processing device, 26 ... Linear light source, 28.
...Fiber lens array, 30...Box, 32...Filter, 34
...Light source unit, 36...Squeeze roller, 38...Drive screw 40...Drive source, 42...Transmission means, 44...
...Overlay sheet, 46...Photosensitive material holding stand, 48...Front plate, 49.65...Opening, 5
0... Bottom plate, 52 a, 52 b--o-ra, 54... Belt, 56... Positioning pin stand, 58... Positioning bottle, 60... Vacuum device, 62.64. ...Transportation means, 66...Top plate, 68...Light shielding film, 70.8
3... Bulkhead, 72... Vapor shutter, 74... Magazine, 76a, 76b... Take-out roller, 78... Cutter, 80 a, 80 b --- Tube roller, 82a, 8
2b... Nip belt conveyor 84... Switching guide, 86... Developer tank, 88... Bleaching/fixing tank, 9
0.91...Washing tank, 92...Drying device, 9
4... Removal tray, 96... Refill fluid storage section, 100
...Operation panel, 102... Main power switch, 104... Exposure start switch, 106... Photosensitive material setting switch, 108... Process display LED. 110... Control circuit, 112... Filter display LED. St, S2. S3. S4. S5. S6゜S7. S8. S
9. SIO, 5ll S12...Sensor, a, b, c, d, e, f, g. h, t, j...LED. A...Photosensitive material, S...Color plate film F ■ G. (Part 1 G - (Part 2) (Part 4 Engineering 7 (Part 3) ↑

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Contact exposure is carried out in which at least one color plate film corresponding to the three primary colors and the black plate is stacked in close contact with the photosensitive material and the photosensitive material is exposed to the color plate film corresponding to the three primary colors and/or the black plate. A plate inspection apparatus for producing a color proof for plate inspection by sequentially exposing the photosensitive material to multiple exposures and treating the multiple exposed photosensitive material with a processing solution, the photosensitive material being in close contact with the color plate film. a scanning exposure device that scans and exposes a material; and a scanning exposure device that is positioned below the color plate film when loading or replacing the color plate film and above the color plate film when the color plate film and the photosensitive material are exposed in close contact. a color plate film loading device having an overlay sheet that can be reversed and moved up and down and which can be pulled out from the plate inspection device for loading the color plate film in a predetermined position; and a color plate film loading device for loading and holding the photosensitive material. a liftable photosensitive material holding table configured to be located at the bottom when the photosensitive material is placed, at the top when the photosensitive material and the color plate film are in close contact with each other, and at the middle when the overlay sheet is reversed; The color plate film loading device is provided below the color plate film loading device, and is configured to shield the photosensitive material held on the photosensitive material holding table from light at least when the color plate film loading device is pulled out of the plate inspection device. a light-shielding film; a sensor for detecting whether the photosensitive material holder is located at the bottom, the middle, or the top; and whether the overlay sheet is located at the top or bottom of the color plate film. A sensor that detects that the light-shielding film blocks light from the photosensitive material; A sensor that confirms that the color plate film loading device is placed at a predetermined position in the plate inspection device. A step of drawing out the photosensitive material from a magazine attached to a plate inspection device main body, a step of cutting the drawn out photosensitive material to a required length, and a step of transferring the sheet-like photosensitive material to the photosensitive material holding table. and holding the color plate film at a predetermined position as a continuous sequence, and after loading at least one color plate film into the color plate film loading device, the color plate film loading device is moved into a plate inspection device. After being loaded in a predetermined position, based on the information detected from each sensor, the light-shielding film is opened → the overlay sheet is reversed from the lower part of the color plate film to the upper part → from the middle part of the photosensitive material holding stand Close contact between the photosensitive material, the color plate film, and the overlay sheet on the photosensitive material holder by rising to the top → close exposure → descent from the top of the photosensitive material holder to the middle → the overlay sheet A contact exposure process consisting of reversing the color plate film from the top to the bottom → shielding with the light shielding film → switching the color filter of the scanning exposure device is controlled as a continuous sequence, and this contact exposure process is performed on the photosensitive material. The process is controlled to be repeated 3 or 4 times depending on the species, and the exposed photosensitive material is then developed, fixed, washed, and washed for a predetermined period of time.
A plate inspection device comprising: a control circuit that controls each processing step to perform a drying process; and a display device that displays each of the steps.