JPH04177356A - Processing method and device of photosensitive planographic printing plate - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To process each photosensitive planographic printing plate different in developing conditions so stably with one automatic developing machine by discriminating each information on these photosensitive planogtaphic printing plates by means of an identifying mark printed by exposure, and according to the information, changing the developing condition in an automatic manner. CONSTITUTION:A photosensitive planographic printing plate finishes its development after the eluting material of a photosensitive layer is removed at a developing part A. Subsequently, an identifying mark on a form plate of the printing plate is read by an optical reading sensor 33, and discrimination between a positive type and a negative one is carried out by a positive-negative plate discriminator 34, then this discriminating signal is inputted into a flow control circuit 37. This discriminating signal is processed by the circuit 37 together with a plate area signal out of an area counting circuit 25 and a process fatigue signal out of an operation-suspension counting circuit 35, through which a replenishing unit 21 is controlled so as to become a development replenishing value based on a preset functional relation, thus a developing replenisher in a replenisher tank 20 is supplied to a processing tank 14. With this constitution, each photosensitive planographic printing plate different in developing conditions can be stably processed by one automatic developing machine.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a processing method and a processing apparatus for photosensitive lithographic printing plates, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a processing method and a processing apparatus for photosensitive lithographic printing plates, and more specifically, for processing photosensitive lithographic printing plates under different development conditions using one automatic developing machine. The present invention relates to a processing method and processing apparatus for commonly processing lithographic printing plates.

[Conventional technology]

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, the following technology is known as a technology for commonly processing photosensitive lithographic printing plates having different development conditions using one automatic developing machine.

(b) Supply and dispose of new special developer solution according to the type of photosensitive lithographic printing plate. (JP-A-61-248051, JP-A No. 62-21152, etc.) (b) A positive-working photosensitive lithographic printing plate and a negative-working photosensitive lithographic printing plate are developed using a new developer that can commonly develop both. Develop and throw away. (Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-103256) (c) A positive-working photosensitive lithographic printing plate and a negative-working photosensitive lithographic printing plate,
A replenisher is added to a developer that can commonly develop both types, and the developer is used repeatedly.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, techniques such as (a) and (b) above have the disadvantage of high processing costs because they consume a relatively large amount of developer, and techniques such as (c) above have the disadvantage of high processing costs. Since the degree of fatigue of the developer differs between the photosensitive lithographic printing plate and the negative photosensitive lithographic printing plate, there is a problem in that it is difficult to manage replenishment and it is difficult to achieve a practically stable process.

An object of the present invention is to provide a processing method and a processing apparatus that can stably and commonly process photosensitive planographic printing plates having different development conditions using one automatic processor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a processing method and processing apparatus that can commonly process photosensitive planographic printing plates with different development conditions at reduced processing costs using one automatic processing machine. .

[Means to solve the problem]

The purpose of the present invention is to provide the following treatment method (1) and the following (
2) is achieved by the processing device.

(1) In a method of developing an exposed photosensitive lithographic printing plate using an automatic developing machine, information on the plate is determined by an identification symbol printed on the photosensitive layer surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate by exposure, A method for processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, characterized in that development conditions are automatically changed according to the information.

(2) A photosensitive lithographic printing plate characterized by having a means for reading an identification symbol printed on the surface of the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and a means for automatically changing development conditions based on the information read by the means. Processing equipment.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a processing device according to the present invention. In the figure, A is a development process in which a developing solution (hereinafter referred to as "negative/positive developer") that can commonly develop positive-working photosensitive lithographic printing plates and negative-working photosensitive lithographic printing plates that are used in circulation is used. B is a water washing section for washing with water, C is a rinse/gum section for processing with a rinsing liquid or a desensitizing liquid, and PS is a conveyance path for the photosensitive planographic printing plate.

In each of these processing sections, 1 is a pair of transport rollers that transport the photosensitive planographic printing plate, 5 is a squeeze roller pair, 8 is a skewer roller pair, 9 is a guide roller, and 1O is a pair of rollers for rubbing the plate surface to accelerate development. Brush roller, 11 is a shower pipe,
14 is a developer tank containing a developer, 15 is a washing water tank containing washing water, 16 is a rinse/gum liquid tank containing a rinsing liquid or desensitizing liquid (gum liquid), 17.18.1
Reference numeral 9 denotes a pump that sends the processing liquid from the developer tank 14, the washing water tank 15, and the rinse/gum liquid tank to the shower pipe 11, and 20 denotes a replenisher tank for storing the developer replenisher.
Reference numeral 21 denotes a replenishment device, which has a metering pump for feeding liquid and a mechanism that operates a buzzer based on the detection result of a sensor that detects empty developer replenisher in the replenisher tank 20. The metering pump for liquid feeding is described later. In addition to the control system using the flow rate control circuit 37, it can also be operated manually. Reference numeral 22 denotes piping that leads the overflows from the developer tank 14, the washing water tank 15, and the rinse/gum liquid tank 16 to an overflow tank (not shown). 3
0 is an area measurement reflection sensor, and multiple optical sensors are connected to the conveyance path P.
They are arranged at equal intervals in the horizontal direction perpendicular to S.

The sensor has a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects the presence of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate by receiving reflected light from the light emitting element onto the surface of the inserted photosensitive lithographic printing plate. 31 is a plate width detection circuit, which detects the plate width based on the plate detection signal from the area measurement reflection sensor 30, and detects the plate width by the plate area integration circuit 3.
2, the area of the photosensitive planographic printing plate can be detected.

Reference numeral 33 denotes an optical reading sensor that reads an identification symbol printed on the photosensitive layer surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate by exposure.

34 is a negative/positive plate discrimination circuit, and an optical reading sensor 30
A negative type and a positive type are discriminated based on the signal detected by the . 35 is in operation.

This is a rest time integration circuit that performs replenishment in response to fatigue of the developer due to processing of photosensitive planographic printing plates (processing fatigue) and decrease in activity due to absorption of carbon dioxide gas in the air (aging fatigue). , processing equipment power switch (not shown)
The operation and rest of the processing equipment are detected by the opening and closing of the processing equipment, the operating time and the rest time are respectively integrated, and the replenishment amount corresponding to fatigue over time in each of these states is determined. The plate area signal and the signal corresponding to the amount of fatigue over time are input to the flow rate control circuit 37, and are sent to the replenishing device 2 via the pump drive circuit 38 so that the replenishment amount is refilled based on a predetermined functional relationship.
1.

Known techniques can be applied to the above functional relationship.

Next, the operation will be explained based on FIG.

When a photosensitive planographic printing plate is inserted into the processing device from the left end in the figure, the photosensitive planographic printing plate is detected by the area measurement reflection sensor 30, and based on the detected signal, the plate width detection circuit 31 and the plate area integration circuit are activated. 32 calculates the plate area, and this signal is input to the flow rate control circuit 37, and a signal from the operation/pause integration circuit 35 is input to the flow rate control circuit 37.

In the photosensitive planographic printing plate, in the developing section A, the negative/positive developer in the developer tank 14 is sent by the pump 17 and supplied to the plate surface from the shower pipe 11, and the plate surface is rubbed by the brush roller IO. The developing solution and the eluate of the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate adhering to the front and back surfaces of the plate are removed by a squeeze roller pair 5, and the development is completed. Next, the photosensitive planographic printing plate is transported to the washing section B, and the washing water put in the washing water tank 15 is supplied from the shower pipe 11 to the plate surface of the photosensitive planographic printing plate by the pump 18, and the plate surface is washed with water. The deposits on the front and back surfaces are removed,
Next, the photosensitive planographic printing plate is transported to the rinse gum section cA, and the rinse liquid or desensitizing liquid put in the rinse gum tank 16 is pumped into the shower pipe 11 by the pump 24.
The paper is supplied to the plate surface from the paper, and is removed by the squeezing roller 7, leaving only the necessary amount, and the processing is completed.

After the above processing is performed, the optical reading sensor 33 reads the identification symbol on the plate surface of the photosensitive planographic printing plate, and the negative/
A positive plate discrimination circuit discriminates between a positive type and a negative type, and this discrimination signal is input to the flow rate control circuit 37. This discrimination signal is processed by the flow rate control circuit 37 together with the plate area signal from the area integration circuit 25 and the processing fatigue signal from the operation/pause integration circuit 35, and the development replenishment amount is determined based on a predetermined functional relationship. The replenishing device 21 is controlled so that the developer replenisher in the replenisher tank 20 is replenished into the developer tank 14.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a processing device showing another embodiment according to the present invention. In the figure, A is a developing section that performs development with a negative/positive developing solution that is used in circulation, B is a water washing section, C is a rinse/gum section that is processed with a rinsing solution or a desensitizing solution, and PS
is the conveyance path of the photosensitive planographic printing plate.

In each of these processing sections, ■ is a pair of transport rollers that transport the photosensitive planographic printing plate, 5 is a squeeze roller pair, 8a is a skewer roller, 8b is a skewer roller pair, 9 is a guide roller, lOa is a brush roller, and 12 is a pair of skewer rollers. Shower pipe, 14a is a developing tank, 15 is a washing water tank, 16 is a rinse/gum tank containing a rinsing liquid or desensitizing liquid (gum liquid), 17a is a pump for flowing the developer in the developing tank 14a,
18. 19 is a pump that pumps each processing solution to the shower pipe 12; 20 is a replenisher tank for storing a developer replenisher; 21 is a replenisher; 25 is a pipe that leads the overflow solution to an overflow tank (not shown); 27 is a heater with a thermostat that heats the developer in the developer tank 14a and maintains it at a predetermined temperature level.

Reference numeral 40 denotes an optical sensor that irradiates light from a light emitting element onto the surface of the photosensitive planographic printing plate being conveyed, and receives the reflected light with a light receiving element to detect the presence of the photosensitive planographic printing plate. 41 is a drive control circuit, and when a detection signal from the optical sensor 40 is input, a signal is output to the roller drive circuit 42, and the roller drive motor 43 is driven to drive each roller provided along the conveyance path PS. It is now possible to do so. In addition, a signal is output from the drive control circuit 41 in response to the input of the detection signal of the optical sensor 40, and the pump drive circuit 44 causes the pumps 17a, 1
8.19 is now working.

33 is an optical reading sensor, 45 is an identification symbol discrimination circuit, 4
6 is a plate area integration circuit, 47 is a negative/positive plate discrimination circuit, 3
5 is an operation/stop time integration circuit, 37 is a flow rate control circuit, 3
8 is a pump drive circuit. The signal read by the optical reading sensor 33 is judged by an identification symbol discrimination circuit 45, and inputted to a plate area integration circuit 46 and a negative/positive plate discrimination circuit 47, which determine the area of the photosensitive planographic printing plate and whether it is a negative type or a positive type, respectively. Each type-specific signal is input to the flow rate control circuit 37, and the first
A controlled amount of replenishment fluid is replenished in the same manner as in the case shown in the figure. The structures and functions of the optical reading sensor 33, the operating/inactive time integration circuit 35, the flow rate control circuit 37, and the pump drive circuit 38 are the same as in FIG.

Next, the operation will be explained using FIG. 2.

First, when a photosensitive lithographic printing plate is inserted into the processing device from the left end in the figure, it is detected by the optical sensor 40, and the detection signal is input to the drive control circuit 41. The roller drive circuit control circuit 41 outputs an output to the roller drive circuit 42 to drive the roller drive motor, and at the same time outputs to the pump drive circuit 44 to operate the pumps 17a and 18.19.

In the developing section A, the photosensitive planographic printing plate is immersed in the negative/positive developer in the developer tank 14a, which is replenished as described above. The developer adhering to the back surface and the eluate of the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate are removed, and development is completed. Next, the photosensitive planographic printing plate is conveyed to washing section B and then to rinse/gum section C, where it is washed with water and subjected to post-processing in the same manner as in FIG.

The identification symbol image formed on the photosensitive planographic printing plate that has been processed in the rinse gum section C is read by the optical reading sensor 33, and the signal is sent to the identification symbol discrimination circuit 45.
The plate area is determined by the plate area integration circuit 46, and the negative/positive plate discrimination circuit 47 discriminates between positive type and negative type, and this area signal, negative type and positive type discrimination signal, and operation , the processing fatigue signal from the pause integration circuit 35 is input to the flow rate control circuit 37. These signals are processed by the flow rate control circuit 37, and the replenishing device 21 is controlled so that the developer replenishment amount is based on a predetermined functional relationship, and the developer replenisher in the replenisher tank 20 is replenished into the developer tank 14. .

In the present invention, the position of the sensor for detecting the identification symbol may be before insertion into the processing device, during development, or after ejection from the processing device, but it is preferably before insertion or after development, especially when the identification symbol image in resist form is detected. is preferably formed after development.

As the identification symbol and its reading device, for example, a known identification symbol and its reading device for a document fed to a copying machine, a bar code and a bar code scanner, etc. can be used.

The information to be placed on the identification symbol includes the type of plate (plate volume, type, size, replenishment amount, etc.), development conditions (time, brush conditions, temperature, etc.), exposure conditions, and delivery conditions (film, PS, etc.). editions, printed matter, etc.).

The means for printing the identification symbol can be either a method of providing an identification symbol image on an original film, or a method of separately preparing a film having an identification symbol image and printing the film. The position of the identification symbol is preferably within 5 cm from the edge of the plate (corresponding to the printing grip).

Furthermore, in the method of the present invention, it is preferable that the identification symbol be read and then erased after development.

Photosensitive lithographic printing plates to which the present invention is applied include those in which a layer of a photosensitive composition as described below is provided on the surface of a support having a hydrophilic surface.

1) Photosensitive composition containing a diazo compound The diazo compound in this photosensitive composition is, for example, a diazo resin represented by a condensate of an aromatic diazonium salt and formaldehyde or acetaldehyde. For example, p
- diazo resin inorganic salts of condensates of diazodiphenylamine and formaldehyde or acetaldehyde, such as reaction products of said condensates with hexafluoroborophosphates, tetrafluoroborates, perchlorates or periodates; Salts and diazo resin organic salts which are reaction products of the above condensates and sulfonic acids as described in US Pat. No. 3,300,309 can be mentioned. Also included are compositions in which a diazo resin is used together with a binder. Various polymer compounds can be used as such a binder, but monomers having an aromatic hydroxyl group such as those described in JP-A No. 54-98613, such as N-(4 -hydroxyphenyl)acrylamide, N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)methacrylamide, 0-111-, p-hydroxystyrene, '-1''-1 or p-hydroxyphenyl methacrylate, etc. and other monomers copolymer with US Pat. No. 4,1
Polymers containing hydroxyethyl acrylate units or hydroxyethyl methacrylate units as the main repeating unit as described in No. 23,276, natural resins such as shellac, rosin, polyvinyl alcohol, U.S. Pat. Polyamide resins such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,660,
Linear polyurethane resins as described in No. 097, polyvinyl alcohol 7-talate resins,
Epoxy resins condensed from bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin, cellulose derivatives such as cellulose acetate and cellulose acetate phthalate are included.

2) Photosensitive composition 0- containing an O-quinonediazide compound
In a photosensitive composition containing a quinonediazide compound,
Examples include compositions in which an 0-quinonediazide compound and an alkali-soluble resin are used in combination.

Examples of the 0-quinonediazide compound include ester compounds of 0-naphthoquinonediazide sulfonic acid and polycondensation resins of phenols and aldehydes or ketones.

Examples of the phenols include phenol, 0-
Cresol, m-cresol, p-cresol, 3.5
Examples include m-phenols such as -xyl/-, carvacrol, and thymol, dihydric phenols such as catechol, resorcinol, and hydroquinone, and trihydric phenols such as pyrogallol and phloroglucin. Examples of the aldehyde include formaldehyde, benzaldehyde, acetaldehyde, crotonaldehyde, and furfural. Further, examples of the ketone include acetone and methyl ethyl ketone.

Specific examples of the polycondensation resin include phenol/formaldehyde resin, m-cresol/formaldehyde resin, "-1p-mixed cresol/formaldehyde resin, resorcinol/benzaldehyde resin, pyrogallol/acetone resin, and the like.

Said. The condensation rate of 0-naphthoquinonediazide sulfonic acid with respect to the OH group of the phenol of the -naphthoquinonediazide compound (reaction rate with respect to one OH group) ranges from 15 to 80%.

As a 0-quinonediazide compound, JP-A-58-434
The following compounds described in Publication No. 51 can also be used.

Also, Special Publications No. 37-1953, No. 37-3627, No. 37-13109, No. 40-26126, No. 40-
No. 3801, No. 45-5604, No. 45-27345
1,2-quinonediazide compounds described in JP-A No. 51-13013, JP-A No. 48-96575, JP-A No. 48-63802, and JP-A No. 48-63802 can also be mentioned.

Examples of the support include paper, plastic (for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene), laminated paper, aluminum (including aluminum alloy),
Plates of metals such as zinc, copper, etc.; films of plastics such as cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate, cellulose propionate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyvinyl acetal, etc.; Examples include laminated or vapor-deposited paper or chrome-plated steel sheets, among which aluminum and aluminum-coated composite supports are particularly preferred.

Further, the surface of the aluminum material may be roughened for the purpose of increasing water retention and adhesion to the photosensitive layer. Examples of the surface roughening method include generally known methods such as brush polishing, pole polishing, electrolytic etching, chemical etching, liquid honing, and sandblasting, and combinations thereof.

At least one circulating developing solution used in the method of the present invention is an alkaline developing solution containing water as a main solvent (specifically, 50% by weight or more consists of water), and is an alkaline developing solution for negative and
It is preferable to use a developer for both positive and negative uses. The developer and its replenisher both contain an alkali silicate and have a pH of at least one of an organic solvent and a surfactant.
It is preferable to use an alkaline aqueous developer having a concentration of 10 or more, more preferably 12 or more.

Examples of the alkali silicate include potassium silicate, sodium silicate, sodium metasilicate, potassium metasilicate, and ammonium silicate. The content of alkali silicate in the developer is preferably in the range of 0.3 to 10% by weight. In addition, alkali silicate is S10. 0 in concentration,
A range of 1 to 7.0% by weight is preferred.

Alkali agents other than alkali silicates can be used in combination with the developer and developer replenisher, such as potassium hydroxide,
Sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, sodium triphosphate, sodium diphosphate, potassium triphosphate, potassium diphosphate, ammonium diphosphate, ammonium diphosphate, sodium metasilicate, sodium bicarbonate, carbonic acid Inorganic alkaline agents such as sodium, potassium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, etc., organic alkaline agents such as mono-, di- or triethanolamine and tetraalkyl hydroxide can be used in combination.

The organic solvent preferably has a solubility in water of 10% by weight or less in 20' (:! carboxylic acid esters such as; ketones such as ethyl butyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and cyclohexanone; ethylene glycol monobutyl ether,
Alcohols such as ethylene glycol benzyl ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, benzyl asacol, methylphenyl carbinol, n-amyl alcohol, methyl amyl alcohol; alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons such as xylene; methylene dichloride, ethylene dichloride, These include halogenated hydrocarbons such as monochlorobenzene. These organic solvents can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

As the surfactant, at least one of nonionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants can be used. Preferably it is a nonionic surfactant.

Nonionic surfactants can be broadly classified into polyethylene glycol type and polyhydric alcohol type, both of which can be used, but polyethylene glycol type nonionic surfactants are preferred from the viewpoint of developing performance, and among them, ethylene glycol type nonionic surfactants are preferred. 3 or more, and I (LB value (HLB
is t(hydrophi 1e-Lipophile B
a1ance) is 5 or more (more preferably 8 to 20)
) nonionic surfactants are more preferred.

Among nonionic surfactants, those having both an ethyleneoxy group and a propyleneoxy group are particularly preferred, and among these, those having an HLB value of 8 or more are more preferred.

Preferred examples of nonionic surfactants include the following general formula [1
] to [8] are mentioned.

C1:] R-0-(CH2CH20)nHCH.

(3) RO(CHzCHO)m (CH2CH2
O)nH(6) HO(Cx)l*o)a (Cs
HeO)b (CzH,0)cH(8) 8O-(
CH2CH20)nH In formulas [1] to [8], R represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group. As the organic group,
For example, a linear or branched substituent having 1 to 30 carbon atoms (
For example, an alkyl group which may have an aryl group (such as phenyl), an alkyl carbonyl group whose alkyl moiety is the above-mentioned alkyl group, or an alkyl group having a substituent (such as a hydroxyl group or an alkyl group as described above). Examples include a phenyl group and the like. alblclmlnlx and y each represent an integer of 1-40.

Specific examples of nonionic surfactants are shown below.

Polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene nonyl ether, polyoxyethylene cetyl ether, voriquin ethylene stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, polyoxyethylene behenyl ether, polyoxyethylene holoxypropylene cetyl ether, poly Oxyethylene polyoxylene propylene behenyl ether, polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene ethylene octylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene stearylamine, polyoxyethylene oleylamine, polyoxyethylene stearamide, polyoxyethylene oleic acid amide, polyoxyethylene Castor oil, polyoxyethylene abiethyl ether, polyoxyethylene lanolin ether, polyoxyethylene monolaurate, polyoxyethylene monostearate,
Polyoxyethylene glyceryl monooleate, polyoxyethylene glycerol monostearate, polyoxyethylene propylene glycol monostearate, oxyethylene oxypropylene block polymer, distyrenated phenol polyethylene Oquindo adduct, tribenzylphenol polyethylene Oquindo adduct, octylphenol Polyoxyethylene polyoxine propylene adduct, glycerol monostearate, sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, etc.

The weight average molecular weight of the nonionic surfactant is 300 to 100
A range of 00 is preferred, and a range of 500 to 5000 is particularly preferred.

As anionic surfactants, higher alcohols (CS
-C2,) Sulfuric ester salts [for example, sodium salt of lauryl alcohol sulfate, sodium salt of octyl alcohol sulfate, ammonium salt of lauryl alcohol sulfate, rTeepol-81J
(trade name, manufactured by Shell Chemical), dibasic sodium alkyl sulfate], aliphatic alcohol phosphorus ester salts (e.g., sodium salt of cetyl alcohol phosphate, etc.), alkylaryl sulfonates (e.g., dodecylbenzene sulfone), sodium salts of acids, sodium salts of isopropylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, sodium salts of sinaphthalene disulfonic acid, sodium salts of metanitrobenzenesulfonic acid, etc.), sulfonate salts of alkylamides (e.g., C1tHx 3CON(CH
X) CH2SO3N & etc.), sulfonic acid salts of dibasic fatty acid esters (for example, sodium sulfosuccinate dioctyl ester, sodium sulfosuccinate dihexyl ester, etc.).

Among these, sulfonate salts are particularly preferably used.

Cationic surfactants are broadly classified into amine type and quaternary ammonium salt type, and any of these can be used.

Examples of amine types include polyoxyethylene alkyl amine, N-alkyl propylene amine, N-alkyl polyethylene polyamine, N-alkyl polyethylene polyamine dimethyl sulfate, alkyl biguanide, long chain amine oxide, alkylimidacilline, ■-hydroxy Ethyl-2-alkylimidacyline, l-acetylaminoethyl-2-alkylimidacyline, 2-alkyl-4
-Methyl-4-hydroxymethyloxazoline and the like.

Examples of quaternary ammonium salts include long-chain primary amine salts, alkyltrimethylammonium salts, dialkyldimethylethylammonium salts, alkyldimethylammonium salts, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salts, alkylpyridinium salts, and alkylquinolinium salts. , alkylisoquinolinium salt, alkylpyridinium sulfate, stearamidemethylpyridinium salt, acylaminoethyldiethylamine salt, acylaminoethylmethyldiethylammonium salt, alkylamidopropyldimethylbenzylammonium salt, fatty acid polyethylene polyamide, acylaminoethylpyridinium salt , anrucolaminoformylmethylpyridinium salt, stearoxymethylpyridinium salt, fatty acid triethanolamine, fatty acid triethanolamine formate, trioxyethylene fatty acid triethanolamine, fatty acid dibutylaminoethanol, cetyloxymethylpyridinium salt, p
-Inoctylphenoxyethoxyethyldimethylbenzylammonium salt and the like. ("Alkyl" in the above compound examples refers to a straight chain or partially substituted alkyl having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and specifically, straight chain alkyl such as hexyl, octyl, cetyl, stearyl, etc.) (Preferably used.) Among these, water-soluble quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactants are particularly effective, and among these, alkyltrimethylammonium salts, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salts, ethylene oxide addition ammonium salts, etc. are preferable. be. Further, a polymer having a cationic component as a repeating unit is also a cationic surfactant in a broad sense, and is included in the cationic surfactant of the present invention. In particular, a polymer containing a quaternary ammonium salt obtained by copolymerizing with a lipophilic hexamer can be suitably used.

The weight average molecular weight of the polymer is in the range of 300 to 50,000, particularly preferably in the range of 500 to 5,000.

As the amphoteric surfactant, for example, a compound such as sodium N-methyl-N-pentadecylaminoacetate can be used.

These surfactants can be contained in a range of 0.5 to 10% by weight.

In addition to the above, inorganic and organic reducing agents, organic carboxylic acids, etc. can be contained in the negative/positive developer and the replenisher used in the method of the present invention.

Examples of inorganic reducing agents include sulfites such as sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, ammonium sulfite, sodium hydrogen sulfite, and potassium hydrogen sulfite, sodium phosphite, potassium phosphite, sodium hydrogen phosphite, and potassium hydrogen phosphite. , phosphates such as sodium dihydrogen phosphite and potassium hydrogen sulfite, hydrazine, sodium thiosulfate, sodium dithionite, etc. Among the reducing agents that are particularly effective are sulfites. These reducing agents are contained in an amount of 0.1 to IO weight %, more preferably 0.5 to 5 weight %.

The developer and its replenisher may contain other known additives, such as water-soluble or alkali-soluble organic reducing agents, organic carboxylic acids and salts thereof, and the like.

Examples of organic reducing agents include phenolic compounds such as hydroquinone, metol, and methoxyquinone, and amine compounds such as phenylenediamine and phenylhydrazine.

The organic carboxylic acids include aliphatic carboxylic acids having 6 to 20 carbon atoms and aromatic carboxylic acids in which a benzene ring or a naphthalene ring is substituted with a carboxyl group.

The aliphatic carboxylic acid is preferably an alkanoic acid having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and specific examples include caproic acid, enamethyl acid, caprylic acid, pelargonic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, mystyric acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid. etc., and particularly preferred are alkanoic acids having 6 to 12 carbon atoms. Also, fatty acids with double bonds in their carbon chains,
It may also have a branched carbon chain. The above aliphatic carboxylic acids may be used as sodium or potassium salts or ammonium salts.

Specific compounds of aromatic carboxylic acids include benzoic acid, O-chlorobenzoic acid, p-chlorobenzoic acid, 0-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-ter
t-Butylbenzoic acid, 0-aminobenzoic acid 1. -aminobenzoic acid, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2゜5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid,
2.3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3.5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, gallic acid, l-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 2-hydroxy-
Examples include 1-naphthoic acid, 1-naphthoic acid, 2-7-naphthoic acid, and the like.

The above aromatic carboxylic acid may be used as a sodium or potassium salt or an ammonium salt.

The content of aliphatic carboxylic acid and aromatic carboxylic acid is preferably 0.1-10% by weight.

Furthermore, the following additives can be added to the developer and replenisher in the present invention in order to improve development performance. For example, NaCQ described in JP-A-58-75152
, KCQ, KBr and other neutral salts, JP-A-59-190
Chelating agents such as EDTA and NTA described in No. 952, [Co(NH
a)) Complexes such as scL, amphoteric polymer electrolytes such as copolymers of vinylpenzyltrimethylammonium chloride and sodium acrylate described in JP-A No. 56-142528, chlorides described in JP-A-58-59444 Inorganic lithium compounds such as lithium, Special Publication No. 50-34442
Examples include organolithium compounds such as lithium benzoate described in JP-A-59-75255, organometallic surfactants containing Si, Ti, etc. described in JP-A-59-75255, and organoboron compounds described in JP-A-59-84241. It will be done.

Further, the negative/positive developing solution used in the method of the present invention includes Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 62-24263, 62-24264, 62-25761, 62-35351, and 6
No. 2-75535, No. 62-89060, No. 62-1
No. 25357, No. 62-133460, No. 62-15
No. 9148, No. 62-168160, No. 62-175
No. 7513, No. 63-200154, No. 63-205
No. 658 and developers described in each publication are included.

In the method of the present invention, it is preferable to replenish the replenisher to the developing solution used in circulation to prevent both processing fatigue and aging fatigue. To prevent processing fatigue, it is preferable to control the replenishment conditions by multiplying the plate type information (board volume, product type) included in the identification symbol by the size information. Furthermore,
For processing liquids, in addition to the information contained in the identification symbol, the area of the non-image area is detected, and the results of detection of both processing fatigue and aging fatigue such as plate area, non-image area, and board volume are calculated. It is preferable to determine replenishment conditions (coefficient of replenishment amount, etc.) in combination.

Development conditions that are automatically changed according to the results of automatically distinguishing between positive-working photosensitive planographic printing plates and negative-working photosensitive planographic printing plates according to the present invention include development time, development temperature, amount of developer, and brush conditions (number of , type, rotational speed), developer type, composition, replenishment conditions (amount, type, composition), etc., and preferable examples include development time, brush conditions, and replenishment conditions.

〔Example〕

The method of the present invention will be explained below with reference to Examples.

Example 1 The following developer solution 24Q was put into developer tank I4 of the automatic processor shown in FIG. 1, and the following developer replenisher was put into developer replenisher tank 2.
I set it to 0.

Developer β-anilinoethanol 0.3 parts by weight Propylene glycol 0.3 parts by weight 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoic acid 0.6 parts by weight p-tert-butylbenzoic acid 1.2 parts by weight Emulgen 147
0.05 parts by weight (manufactured by Kao Corporation, nonionic surfactant) potassium silicate aqueous solution 2.
2 parts by weight (26% by weight containing SiOz, 13% by weight containing K20) Potassium hydroxide 1.5 parts by weight Potassium sulfite 0.9 parts by weight Water
90 parts by weight Developer replenisher β-anilinoethanol 0.31 amount! Propylene grille flail 0.6 weight W.

2-hydroxy-3-naphthoic acid 0.6 parts by weight p
-tert-butylbenzoic acid 1.5 parts by weight Emulgen 147 0.55 parts by weight Potassium silicate 6.0 parts by weight Potassium hydroxide 3.1 parts by weight Potassium sulfite
1.8 parts by weight water
82 parts by weight Preparation of positive-working photosensitive lithographic printing plate A JIS-1050 aluminum plate with a thickness of 0.24 mm was immersed in a 2% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, degreased, and then electrolyzed in a dilute nitric acid solution. chemically roughened,
After thorough washing, perform anodization in a dilute sulfuric acid solution.2. An oxide film of -5 g/2 was formed on the surface of the aluminum plate. After washing and drying the aluminum plate treated in this way, a photosensitive solution having the following composition was added to the dry weight of 2.5 g/
(1) and dried to obtain a positive-working photosensitive lithographic printing plate.

Photosensitive coating liquid composition Ester compound of naphthoquinone-(1,2)-diazide-(2)-5-sulfonic acid chloride and pyrogallol acetone resin (compound described in Synthesis Example 2 of JP-A-60-143345) ) Copolycondensation resin of 2 parts by weight of phenol, m- and p-mixed cresol, and formaldehyde (the molar ratio of each of phenol, ■-cresol and p-cresol during synthesis was 20
:48:32, weight average molecular weight Mv-7400, number average molecular weight Mn 1400) 6.5 parts by weight Novolac resin synthesized from p-tert-octylphenol and formaldehyde and naphthoquinone-(1,
2) Ester compound with -diazide-(2)-5-sulfonic acid chloride (condensation rate: 50 mol%, M w = 1
700) 0.1 part by weight Victoria Pure Blue BOH (manufactured by Odougaya Kagaku Co., Ltd., dye) O, Oa weight Nylthyl heptarosolve 80 parts by weight Methyl cellosolve 20 parts by weight Creation of negative base photosensitive lithographic printing Thickness 0 .24 I JIS-1050 aluminum plate was immersed in a 20% sodium phosphate aqueous solution to degrease it, electrochemically roughened in a dilute hydrochloric acid solution, thoroughly washed, and then anodized in a dilute sulfuric acid solution. An oxide film of 1.5 g/+" was formed on the surface of the aluminum plate. The aluminum plate treated in this way was roughly immersed in an aqueous solution of sodium metasilicate for hole sealing, washed with water, and dried. Afterwards, a photosensitive solution with the following composition was applied to a dry weight of 2.0 g/m''
A negative photosensitive planographic printing plate was obtained by coating and drying.

Photosensitive liquid composition: 1 part by weight of hexafluorophosphate, a condensate of p-diazizodiphenylamine and paraformaldehyde. Listed items) 10 parts by weight Victoria Pure Blue BOH (manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd., dye) 0.2 parts by weight Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether 100 parts by weight Bar code compliant with JIS-B9550 A film with an image was made using lith film.

The information contained in the barcode was used to distinguish between positive and negative photosensitive planographic printing plates.

A large number of the above positive photosensitive lithographic printing plates were prepared, and a film transparent positive film having the above barcode image and a step tape for sensitivity measurement (manufactured by Eastman Kodak Company, No. 2, density difference 0.15 each) were prepared. (21 levels of gray scale) was densely layered and exposed for 60 seconds from a distance of 70 cm using a 2 kW metal halide lamp (Idol Fin 2000 manufactured by Iwasaki Electric Co., Ltd.) at 8.0 mW/c as a light source. .

Prepare a large number of photosensitive lithography sheets of the above negative, and prepare a film with the above barcode image, a transparent negative film, and a step tablet for sensitivity measurement (manufactured by Eastman Kodak Co., Ltd. No. 2, 21 steps with a density difference of 0.15). Grayscale) was placed in close contact with the sample, and exposure was performed for 30 seconds from a distance of 70 cm using a 2 kW metal halide lamp (Idol Fin 2000, manufactured by Iwasaki Electric Co., Ltd.) at a light source of 8.0 W/am''.

The replenishment conditions for the treated plate area for each plate volume were as follows.

Replenishment against energy fatigue: Positive type photosensitive planographic printing plate...60 mQ/m" Negative photosensitive planographic printing plate...42 mQ/B2 (Replenishment amount coefficient: positive type -1.0, negative type -0.7 ) Replenishment against fatigue over time: Automatic processor operating time...200+of27 hours Automatic processor down time...50+aI2/hour Under the above conditions, the positive-working photosensitive lithographic printing plate and the negative-working photosensitive lithographic printing plate, respectively. As a result of randomly processing 150 sheets, good printed matter was obtained even on the 300th sheet.

Example 2 The same developer, developer replenisher, and photosensitive lithographic printing plate as in Example 1 were used, and the information to be included in the barcode was the plate volume (distinguishing between negative type and positive type) and the size of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. ,
The following experiment was conducted using the processing apparatus shown in FIG.

Pour 24Q of developer into the developer tank 14a, set the temperature of the developer to 30°C, and set the development time to 12 seconds for the positive photosensitive lithographic printing plate.
The negative photosensitive planographic printing plate was used for 20 seconds.

The plate area of positive type and negative type and the size of the photosensitive planographic printing plate were detected based on the information read by the optical reading sensor 33, and the amount of replenishment was integrated.

The replenishment conditions for the treated plate area for each plate volume were as follows.

Replenishment amount for processing fatigue Positive type photosensitive lithographic printing plate...60 mQ/m'' Negative type photosensitive lithographic printing plate...42 mQ/m'' (Replenishment amount coefficient: positive type = 1.0, negative type -0 , 7) The amount of replenishment per time was 300+o(l).

Replenishment for aging fatigue: Operating time of automatic processor...12 (1mff/hour) Resting time of automatic processor...35mQ/hour 1 each
As a result of randomly processing 50 sheets, good prints were obtained even on the 300th plate.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, photosensitive planographic printing plates having different development conditions can be stably and commonly processed with one automatic processor. Further, according to the present invention, photosensitive lithographic printing plates having different development conditions can be commonly processed at reduced processing cost using one automatic processor.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIGS. 1 and 2 are configuration diagrams showing an embodiment of a processing apparatus of the present invention. A...Developing section B...Washing section C...
Rinse/gum section 14...Developer tank 14a
...Developer tank 20...Replenisher tank 21
... Replenishment device 30 ... Area measurement reflection sensor 31 ... Plate width detection circuit 32.46 ... Plate area integration circuit 33 ... Optical reading sensor 34.46 ... Negative/positive plate discrimination circuit 35... Operating/stop time integration circuit 37... Flow rate control circuit 38... Pump drive circuit 40... Optical sensor 41... Drive control circuit 42... Roller drive circuit 43... Roller drive Motor 44...Pump drive circuit 45...Identification symbol discrimination circuit

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a method of developing an exposed photosensitive planographic printing plate using an automatic developing machine, information on the photosensitive planographic printing plate is provided by an identification symbol printed on the photosensitive layer surface of the photosensitive planographic printing plate by exposure. A method for processing a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, characterized by determining the information and automatically changing development conditions according to the information. (2) A photosensitive lithographic printing plate characterized by having a means for reading an identification symbol printed on the surface of the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and a means for automatically changing development conditions based on the information read by the means. Processing equipment.