JPH06289622A - Processor for photosensitive planographic printing plate - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a processor for a photosensitive planographic printing plate capable of reducing the consumption of processing solution to the irreducible minimum amount without impairing processing performance. CONSTITUTION:Four kinds of duty ratios of every specified cycle obtained at the time of energizing a motor 122 are stored in the memory 132 A of a control part 132. Namely, since the amount of washing water necessary per unit time is different in accordance with the width of a PS plate, the optimum duty ratio is selected out of four kinds of duty ratios in accordance with the width thereof. Ordinarily, the ratio is selected so that the amount of the washing water may become large in the case the width dimension of the PS plate is large, and become small in the case it is small. Thus, the motor 122 is consecutively rotated at four kinds of rotating speed apparently, whereby the suction amount from a washing water tank is changed in accordance with the rotating speed, and discharge force to a spray pipe is adjusted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus which conveys a photosensitive lithographic printing plate which has been developed and passes it through at least a rinse section for processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing device (hereinafter referred to as "PS plate processor") for processing a sheet material such as a photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as "PS plate"), an image is recorded by a printing device or the like. The PS plate thus formed is transferred to the PS plate processor and is immersed in a developing solution while being conveyed in a developing tank, or the developing solution is sprayed onto the image recording surface (surface) by various methods such as an image recording surface. A developing solution is supplied and development processing is performed.

The developed PS plate is washed with rinsing water in the rinsing part (rinsing process), and then the gum solution is applied in the desensitizing part to protect the plate surface (desensitizing process) and then dried. It is processed.

[0004]

However, in the washing section, regardless of the size of the PS plate, a large amount of washing water is sprayed on the plate surface between the conveying rollers and then the excess washing water is squeezed by the squeezing roller. I try to remove it.
Further, the desensitizing section has a similar structure.

Therefore, washing water is supplied to the plate surface unevenly, and it is necessary to provide a processing tank of about 5 to 40 liters and a large capacity liquid feed pump in the washing section. Furthermore, in order to spray a large amount of rinsing water, a large number of spray pipes with open discharge ports are required, and the device becomes large.

Further, it is necessary to ensure that the washing water reaches the back side of the PS plate as well, which further increases the consumption amount of the washing water. Also, the wash water is designed to be circulated, and the developer component is mixed in the circulated wash water, so that if sludge or debris is generated, the discharge port of the spray pipe will be clogged, or the processing tank There is a problem that it deposits on the bottom and the maintainability is poor.

Therefore, the minimum necessary amount of washing water may be calculated and controlled so as to be supplied onto the PS plate. However, in the conventional rinse liquid supply pump, for example, a bellows type pump,
It is not possible to finely control the amount of flush water supplied, and
When the wash water is circulated, the above-mentioned problems (dirt, pipe clogging, etc.) cause an error between the calculated supply amount and the actual supply amount to obtain the optimum wash water supply amount. I can't.

In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus capable of reducing the consumption amount of the rinse liquid to a necessary minimum amount without impairing the processing performance.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a photosensitive lithographic printing plate having undergone development processing is nipped and conveyed by two pairs of conveying rollers, and one of the conveying rollers is arranged on the most downstream side of the conveying rollers. The surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is treated by dropping a rinsing liquid onto the upper roller from above and diffusing the rinsing liquid on the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and falling from the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. The rinsing liquid is stored in a tray provided so that at least a part of the lower roller of the conveying rollers is immersed, and the stored rinsing liquid is pumped up on the surface of the lower roller to form the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. A lithographic printing plate processing apparatus having a rinsing portion for processing the back surface of the rinsing liquid, the rinsing liquid supplying means for dropping the rinsing liquid onto the upper roller, and the rinsing liquid supply by the driving force of the driving means. A rinsing liquid supply pump for supplying rinsing liquid to the device, and a supply of the rinsing liquid by changing the duty ratio according to the width dimension of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate to be treated with the rinsing liquid when energizing the driving device. Control means for adjusting the amount.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the predetermined cycle is 10 seconds or less, and the predetermined cycle is selected from a plurality of predetermined duty ratios.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate which has been subjected to the development treatment is conveyed by the conveying rollers in the rinse section. Here, when the rinsing liquid is dropped from the rinsing liquid supply means, the rinsing liquid hits the uppermost roller of the most downstream roller, and reaches the widthwise both ends of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate along the contact surface with the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. Go around. Thereby, the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is treated.

After that, the rinse liquid drops from both widthwise ends of the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate and reaches the receiving tray. A lower roller is accommodated in the tray, and a part of the lower roller is immersed in the rinse liquid stored in the tray. Therefore, the rinse liquid is pumped up by the rotation of the lower roller and sent to the back surface side of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. As a result, the back side of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is processed. Since the rinse liquid drops on the receiving tray after processing the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, a relatively fresh rinse liquid is supplied to the receiving tray, and the processing liquid that has processed the front and back surfaces of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate flows from the receiving tray. It is discharged sequentially.

As described above, the tank for circulating and utilizing the rinse liquid can be eliminated, and the amount of the rinse liquid supplied to the photosensitive lithographic printing plate can be set to a small amount (minimum necessary amount). The amount of rinse liquid discharged is small.

The dripping amount of the rinsing liquid per unit time from the rinsing liquid supply means varies depending on the width dimension of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. Therefore, the control unit determines the duty ratio for each predetermined period of time for energizing the driving unit according to the width dimension of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and energizes the driving unit. Therefore, the amount of the rinse liquid dropped and supplied to the photosensitive lithographic printing plate per unit area of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate can be accurately obtained, and the rinse liquid is uniformly supplied to the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. Will be done. Further, since the duty ratio is controlled, the number of strokes per unit time is reduced, and when the duty ratio is 100% or less, the inertia of the motor apparently drives the pump continuously. At this time, turn off the power supply to the motor so that the amount of rinse liquid supplied by the pump is a necessary amount including the amount of inertia of the motor after turning off the power supply to the motor that operates the pump. As a result, an accurate amount of rinse liquid can be supplied.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the predetermined period is 10 seconds or less. This is limited to 10 seconds in consideration of the current length and transport speed of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and if the cycle is longer than this, the duty ratio becomes small and the off time becomes long and the pump stop time becomes long. ,
There is a possibility that the supply amount of the rinse liquid cannot be adjusted according to the width dimension of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, or the photosensitive lithographic printing plate may have an insufficient treatment portion. Further, in claim 2, a plurality of duty ratios are set in advance and selected according to the width dimension of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. Thereby, it is not necessary to calculate each time according to the width dimension of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and the control diameter can be simplified and the control processing time can be shortened.

Here, the duty ratio means the ratio of the ON time of the device per unit time.

[0017]

1 and 2 show a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "PS plate processor") 10 according to this embodiment. PS version processor 10
A photosensitive lithographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as "PS plate") 12 on which an image is printed by a printing device (not shown) is developed by the PS plate processor 10 and then dried.

As shown in FIG. 1, the PS plate processor 10 has an inner processing portion covered with an outer panel 14. The outer panel 14 is provided with an insertion table 16 for feeding the PS plate 12 (see FIG. 2) inward.
The PS plate 12 is placed on the insertion table 16
Is inserted into the inside of the outer panel 14 through the opening on the back side.

As shown in FIG. 2, inside the outer panel 14, a developing tank 18 for developing the PS plate 12 and a developing tube 20 for collecting the developing solution overflowing from the developing tank 18 are provided. Part 22 and PS version 1
Washing section 24 for washing the developing solution adhering to 2 with water
And a finisher portion 26 that applies a gum solution to the PS plate 12 after washing with water to desensitize it.

The washing section 24 is provided with a washing tank 28, and the finisher section 26 is provided with a gum solution tank 30.

The outer panel 14 is provided with slit-shaped insertion openings 102 and discharge openings 104, respectively.
02 is provided corresponding to the back side opening of the insertion table 16. On the other hand, the discharge port 104 is provided with a shutter 107 as shown in FIG. 2 so that it is opened when the PS plate 12 is discharged. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, it is provided corresponding to the inlet of the drying section 31 provided on the downstream side of the finisher section 26.

A reentry insertion opening (sub-insertion opening) 150 for inserting the PS plate 12 is provided between the developing section 22 and the water washing section 24 on the upper surface of the outer panel 14. The sub-insertion port 150 serves as an insertion port for the PS plate 12 for performing processing other than development processing.

A blade 152 is attached to the sub-insertion port 150.
Therefore, the sub-insertion port 150 is closed by the blade 152. When the PS plate 12 to be re-entered is inserted from the sub-insertion port 150, the blade 152 is elastically deformed and the PS plate 1
It does not prevent the insertion of 2.

The drying unit 31 conveys the PS plate 12 (see FIG. 2) sent from the finisher unit 26 by a large number of rollers (not shown), and blows warm air on both sides of the PS plate 12 to dry it. It is like this. The dried PS plate 12 is discharged from the PS plate processor 10, and is discharged to, for example, a stocker (not shown) that leans the PS plate 12 and stores it.

As shown in FIG. 2, the PS plate 12 is inserted into the developing tank 18 of the developing section 22 at the side where the pair of conveying rollers 3 are provided.
2 is provided, and the PS plate 12 having an image printed thereon is inserted through the insertion opening 102 between the pair of conveying rollers 32. The pair of conveying rollers 32 is P
The developing tank 18 with the S plate 12 at an angle of 15 ° with respect to the horizontal direction.
It is designed to be sent to.

A rubber blade 106 is attached near the downstream side of the conveying roller 32. Blade 106
Has its tip end in contact with the side wall of the developing tank 18 of the developing unit 22, and has its base attached to the outer panel 14 via the bracket 156. The bracket 156 is composed of a fixed portion 156A and a slide portion 156B attached to the fixed portion with a thumbscrew 158, and the blade 106 is fixed to the slide portion 156B. Therefore, the blade 106 loosens the thumbscrew 158 and slides 156B.
Is slid with respect to the fixed portion 156A,
The tip portion can be separated from the side wall of the developing tank 18.

Here, normally, the tip of the blade 106 is
When the PS plate 12 is in contact with the side wall of the developing tank 18 and is conveyed to the insertion port 102, the blade 106 is expanded against the elastic force due to the pressing force of the PS plate 12 during conveyance. It is composed. Therefore, the PS plate 12 can be smoothly sent to the developing unit 22.

In the vicinity of the insertion port 102, PS
A sensor 108 for detecting the presence or absence of the plate 12 is attached. It can be recognized by the sensor 108 that the PS plate 12 is present in the apparatus.

The developing tank 18 has a substantially inverted mountain shape with an upper opening and a bottom central portion protruding downward. A pump 160 is provided in the developing tank 18, and the developing solution in the developing tank 18 is sucked by the pump 160.
It is designed to be ejected from spray pipes 44 and 172 described later. As a result, the developing solution stored in the developing tank 18 is circulated. During this circulation, a measuring instrument 162 for measuring the fatigue level of the developing solution (AC impedance of the developing solution) is passed, and the fatigue level of the developing solution is detected. Further, the developing tank 18 has a pump 1
The replenishment stock solution is supplied from the development replenishment stock solution tank 166 via 64.

A guide plate 16 is provided upstream in the developing tank 18.
8. A large number of guide rollers 34 and rotating brush rollers 170 are arranged on the downstream side. These guide rollers 3
4 and the rotating brush roller 170 are rotatably stretched between a pair of side plates of the developing tank 18.

A guide roller 36 having a relatively large diameter is provided above the guide plate 168, and rotating brush rollers 38, 170 and the guide roller 4 are provided above the guide roller 34.
0 are arranged respectively, and are rotatably supported between a pair of side plates of the developing tank 18.

At the center of the developing tank 18, a pair of squeezing rollers 42 having a function of squeezing the PS plate 12 are provided.
Is provided. These guide rollers 34, 36,
40, rotating brush rollers 38, 170 and diaphragm roller 4
The driving force of a driving unit (not shown) is transmitted to the device 2 and rotates, so that the PS plate 12 is conveyed at a constant speed.

In the vicinity of the bottom of the developing tank 18, a pair of aperture rollers 42 and a plurality of guide rollers 3 adjacent thereto.
4, 300 to 3 PS plate 12 by the guide plate 168
It is arranged to convey with a radius of curvature of 50 mm. Therefore, the PS plate 12 nipped and conveyed by the pair of conveyance rollers 32 and inserted into the developing tank 18 is obliquely conveyed between the guide plate 168 and the guide roller 36 and inserted between the aperture rollers 42. It The squeeze roller 42 removes waste products eluted from the photosensitive layer side (upper side of the paper surface of FIG. 2) of the PS plate 12 into the developing solution, and the waste products are the PS plates 1
Isolate so as not to be transported to the downstream side with the movement of 2.

PS plate 1 sent from the squeezing roller 42
2 is directed obliquely upward by the guide roller 34,
It is guided by the rotating brush rollers 38, 170 and the guide roller 40 and discharged from the developing tank 18. As a result, the PS plate 12 is smoothly and reliably conveyed while being immersed in the developing solution without applying an excessive force.

The spray pipe 44 closest to the downstream side of the squeezing roller 42 has a skewered roller shape in which a plurality of elastic rotating members are axially supported on the outer periphery thereof, and also has a role of guiding the PS plate 12. A discharge port (not shown) is provided between the elastic rotating member so as to connect the outer circumference and the inside of the pipe. A spray pipe 172 is arranged below the guide plate 168. The spray pipe 172 is provided with a large number of discharge ports (not shown) communicating with the inside along the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the hollow pipe, and is arranged so that the axial direction is along the width direction of the transport path. The spray pipe 172 and the spray pipe 44 store the developing solution in the developing tank 18
The fresh developing solution is quickly spread over the entire developing tank 18.

The overflow pipe 20 is disposed on the most downstream side of the developing tank 18, and when the liquid level of the developing solution exceeds a predetermined level, the developing solution is guided to the waste liquid tank 184 and discarded. ing.

On the surface of the developing solution in the developing tank 18, the liquid surface lid 5
0 is placed. In the liquid surface lid 50, a portion corresponding to the rotating brush roller 38 and the guide roller 40 adjacent thereto is projected in a substantially arcuate shape, and is brought into close contact with the developing solution surface in order to minimize contact between the developing solution surface and air. The PS of the liquid surface lid 50 is adjusted so that it rises and falls according to the increase and decrease of the developer.
Both ends of the plate 12 in the conveying direction are attached to side plates (not shown) by a slidable structure. Light-weight materials such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polyamide are selected as the material.

At the downstream end of the liquid surface lid 50 in the carrying direction,
The tip of the blade 174 is in contact. The blade 174 is made of rubber and is fixed to the outer panel 14 via a bracket 176. The blade 174 partitions the liquid surface of the developing solution exposed from the downstream end of the liquid surface lid 50 in the transport direction from the upper portion of the liquid surface lid 50.
The blade 106 in the vicinity of 02 (in contact with the side wall of the developing tank 18) completely separates the upper part of the liquid surface lid 50 from the outside air, and thus the evaporation of the developing solution can be suppressed.

On the most downstream side of the developing tank 18 in the conveying direction, P
A pair of rollers 54 is arranged to sandwich and convey the S plate 12 and to squeeze the developing solution from the surface of the PS plate 12.

On the other hand, the PS plate processor 10 is provided with a washing tank 28 of the washing section 24 on the downstream side of the developing section 22. Above the washing tank 28, two pairs of conveying rollers 52,
53 (hereinafter, referred to as an upstream roller pair 52 and a downstream roller pair 53 as needed, which will be described separately). These transport rollers 52 and 53 are rotatably supported by a side plate (not shown), and are rotated by transmitting the driving force of a driving means (not shown). The PS plate 12 sent from the developing unit 22. Forming a transport path of.

Here, the PS plate 1 sent from the developing section 22
The tip of the second roller 2 is guided so as to come into contact with the upper portion of the lower roller of the upstream roller pair 52. Further, the front end portion of the PS plate 12 discharged from the upstream roller pair 52 is guided so as to contact the upper portion of the lower roller of the downstream roller pair 53.

The washing tank 28 stores the washing water after the developing solution is washed off from the PS plate 12 sent from the developing tank 18. The spray pipe 5 as a nozzle is provided on the upstream side of the downstream roller pair 53 and above the transport path.
6, the spray pipe 56 is arranged along the axis of the downstream roller pair 53, and a discharge port communicating with the inside is provided at a position corresponding to the center of the upper roller. . This discharge port may be one, or may be a plurality of arcs. From the spray pipe 56, the washing water pumped up from the washing water tank 178 by the pump 180 is dropped on the upper roller of the downstream roller pair 53, and the upper roller of the downstream roller pair 53 rotates, whereby the PS plate 12 of the PS plate 12 is rotated. Rinse water spreads quickly on the surface,
The surface of the PS plate 12 is washed with rinsing water. Also,
The rinse water after cleaning is configured to drop from both widthwise ends of the PS plate 12 to a tray 62 described later.

The timing of starting the dripping of the washing water from the spray pipe 56 is the time when the tip of the PS plate 12 reaches the downstream roller pair 53, and the sensor 10
It is controlled by the time from when the leading edge of the PS plate 12 is detected at 8.

The timing for stopping the dropping is the PS plate 12
This is the time when the trailing edge of the trailing edge reaches the downstream roller pair, and is controlled by the time from when the trailing edge of the PS plate 12 is detected by the sensor 108.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pump 180 is a bellows type pump, which converts the rotational driving force of the motor 122 into a reciprocating movement by the cam 124, and the length of the bellows expands and contracts to move from the washing water tank 178. The structure is such that washing water is sucked from the suction port 126, discharged from the discharge port 128, and sent to the spray pipe 56. The power supply line 130 of the motor 122 is connected to the control unit 132, and is driven according to a signal from the control unit 132.

Here, the control unit 132 includes the sensor 1
The 08 signal line 134 is connected to detect the front and rear ends of the PS plate 12. In addition, the control unit 1
The transport speed of the PS plate 12 is input to 32, and P
The value of the width dimension that intersects the transport direction of the S plate 12 is set to the control unit 132.
Input manually.

Further, the memory 132A of the control unit 132 stores four data at a predetermined cycle when the motor 122 is energized.
The types of duty ratios are stored (see FIG. 5, where duty ratio = (t ₁ / T) × 100)). That is, since the amount of rinsing water discharged from the discharge port 128 per unit time varies depending on the width dimension of the PS plate 12,
An optimum one is selected from four types of duty ratios according to the width dimension. This width dimension is performed, for example, by key input, and the previously input data is stored until the next data (width dimension) is input.

Normally, when the width of the PS plate 12 is large, the discharge amount of washing water per unit time is increased, and when the width of the PS plate 12 is small, the discharge amount of washing water per unit time is decreased. To be selected.

As a result, the motor 122 has an apparent 4
It is configured to be continuously rotated at various kinds of rotation speeds, the suction amount from the washing water tank 178 is changed according to this rotation speed, and the discharge amount to the spray pipe 56 can be adjusted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower part of the lower rollers of the transport rollers 52 and 53 is the first tank 64 of the tray 62.
It is housed in each of the second tanks 66. An intermediate tank 68 is provided between the first tank 64 and the second tank 66. The falling wash water is stored in the tray 62, and the back side of the PS plate 12 is washed by being pumped up by the lower roller to prevent the upper transport rollers 52, 53 from drying. ing. Also, the second tank 6
A notch 72 is formed in the center of the partition wall 70 that divides 6 and the intermediate tank 68, and serves as a guide path for flush water from the second tank 66 to the intermediate tank 68. Also, the intermediate tank 68 and the first
At both longitudinal ends of the partition wall 74 between the tank 64 and
A notch portion 76 is formed and serves as a guide path for the washing water from the intermediate tank 68 to the first tank 64. Furthermore, the first tank 64
A notch 77 is formed in the central portion of the upstream wall of the so that the washing water overflows.

Further, as described above, since the leading edge of the PS water 12 comes into contact with the lower roller, the pumped water is pumped up before the contact, and the contact portion between the upper roller and the lower roller is contacted. Since the rinsing water staying at can be reliably supplied to the leading end of the PS plate 12, the rinsing water can be uniformly attached to the width dimension near the leading end.
The S plate 12 can be surely washed with water from the tip.

The washing water dropped from the spray pipe 56 to the upper roller of the conveying roller 53 and diffused in the width direction on the surface of the PS plate 12 is transferred from the widthwise both ends of the PS plate 12 to the second tank 66 below. The first tank 6 is dropped through the intermediate tank 68.
4 and the back surface of the PS plate 12 is treated with the washing water drawn from the first tank 64 and the second tank 66. The washing water overflowing from the first tank 64 is guided to the washing tank 28. An overflow pipe 182 is arranged in the washing tank 28, and when the overflow pipe 182 exceeds a predetermined liquid level, the overflow pipe 182 is discarded to the waste liquid tank 184.

The washing tank 28 and the developing tank 18 are
The washing water in the washing tank 28 is guided to the developing tank 18 by driving the pump 186, and can be used as dilution water when supplying the replenishing stock solution to the developing tank 18. There is.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of conveying rollers 78 are provided above the gum solution tank 30 of the finisher section 26 which is a desensitizing section. The PS plate 12 delivered by the downstream roller pair 53 is guided to the transport roller 78.

Further, spray pipes 82, 188 are arranged on the upstream side of the carrying roller 78 in the vertical direction of the carrying path. The spray pipes 82 and 188 are provided with discharge ports (not shown) on the outer circumference, which communicate with the inside. From the spray pipes 82 and 188, the gum liquid pumped up from the gum liquid tank 190 by the pump 192 is discharged and supplied to the front surface and the back surface of the PS plate 12. The guide plate 8 is provided around the spray pipe 82.
4 is attached to guide the transportation of the PS plate 12,
The pumped gum solution is indirectly sprayed onto the PS plate 12.

On the other hand, the spray pipe 188 and the PS plate 12
A guide plate 86 is arranged along the conveyance path between the conveyance and the conveyance. The upstream end of the guide plate 86 is bent at a substantially right angle to form a vertical wall portion 86A, and is generally L-shaped. Corresponding to the vertical wall portion 86A, the vertical wall portion 86
A crank-shaped bracket 88 having a vertical wall portion 88A parallel to A is arranged. The vertical wall portion 88A and the bottom plate portion 88B of the bracket 88 and the vertical wall portion 86A of the guide plate 86.
A vertical groove 90 is formed by. In this vertical groove 90,
The gum solution discharged from the spray pipe 188 is introduced through a hole provided in the vertical wall portion 86A and overflows from the upper end opening.
Of the PS plate 12, and the back surface side of the PS plate 12 is processed.

A hard sponge 92 is provided on the bottom of the vertical groove 90 to prevent the gum solution from leaking from the bottom of the vertical groove 90.

The carrying rollers 78 sandwich and carry the PS plate 12, and at the same time, squeeze the gum solution supplied by the spray pipes 82, 188 for desensitizing the surface of the PS plate 12. There is. The gum solution squeezed from the surface of the PS plate 12 is collected in the gum solution tank 30. The gum solution in the gum solution tank 30 is circulated by the pump 194. In addition, an overflow pipe 196 is provided in the gum liquid tank 30, and when the gum liquid exceeds a predetermined liquid level, it is guided to the waste liquid tank 184 and discarded.

The lower part of the lower transport roller 78 is dipped in the gum solution stored in the gum solution tank 30.
On the back side of 2, the lower conveying roller 78 is the gum solution tank 30.
The coating process is performed by pumping up the gum solution from. As a result, the transporting roller 78 takes out the gum solution to desensitize the back surface of the PS plate 12 and suppresses the drying of the upper transporting roller 78, so that the components of the processing solution are not deposited on the surface of the transporting roller 78. It has become.

The PS plate 12 which has been processed by the finisher section 26 is sent to the drying section 31 through the discharge port 104 of the casing 100 in which the shutter 107 is opened.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. PS plate 12 on which an image is recorded by a printing device (not shown)
Is placed on the insertion table 16 and fed to the back side of the insertion table 16. As a result, the PS plate 12 reaches the insertion opening 102.

Further, the tip of the PS plate 12 has the insertion opening 10
When passing 2, the sensor 108 detects this,
Start the timer. This timer is used for the washing section 24
The timing for starting and stopping the dripping of the washing water from the spray pipe 56 is measured.

PS plate 1 inserted in casing 100
2 is first sent to the developing unit 22. When the PS plate 12 is inserted into the PS plate processor 10, the PS plate processor 10 sends the PS plate 12 to the developing tank 18 by the conveying roller 32. The PS plate 12 fed by the carrying roller 32 spreads the blade 106 against its elastic force by the pressing force at the time of carrying it. Therefore, the PS plate 12 is smoothly transported to the developing unit 22.

The PS plate 12 is guided by the guide plate 168 and sent out at an angle of 15 ° with respect to the horizontal, and is conveyed in the developing tank 18 by the guide rollers 34 and the like.

Thereafter, the surface of the PS plate 12 on the side of the photosensitive layer is rubbed by the rotating brush 38 to promote development, and the photosensitive layer in the non-image portion is removed. P with photosensitive layers on both sides
The S plate 12 is similarly rubbed by the rotating brush rollers 38 and 170 to accelerate development.

The developed PS plate 12 is washed with water 24
And is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance rollers 52 and 53. At this time, since the PS plate 12 is guided so as to contact the lower roller of the transport roller 52, the washing water pumped up from the tray 62 by the rotation of the lower roller adheres to the surface of the tip of the PS plate 12. However, when the PS plate 12 is nipped by the transport rollers 52, a liquid pool can be formed. As a result, both sides of the PS plate 12 can be reliably washed with water from the tip.

Then, the tip of the PS plate 12 is attached to the sensor 108.
When the time measured by the timer after the detection is reached a predetermined time, it is determined that the tip of the PS plate 12 has reached the downstream roller pair 53, and the surface of the PS plate 12 is the spray pipe 5
6 is washed with new washing water dropped onto the upper roller of the downstream roller pair 53, and the back surface is washed with washing water carried out from the tray 62 by the lower roller of the upstream roller pair 52 and the downstream roller pair 53. To be done. After that, the wash water overflows from the first tank 64.

Further, when the time measured by the timer reaches a predetermined time and it is judged that the rear end of the PS plate 12 has reached the downstream roller pair 53, the dropping of the washing water from the spray pipe 56 is stopped.

As described above, in the tray 62 of this embodiment,
Rinsing water flows from the second tank 66 to the intermediate tank 68 from the notch 72 formed in the central portion, and the intermediate tank 68 to the first tank 6
4, washing water flows from the notches 76 formed at both ends, and overflow from the first tank 64 does not occur in the first tank 64.
The flow of washing water is kept constant so as to flow from the center of the upstream wall of the PS plate (see the chain line in FIG. 3), and the PS plate 12 is stored with relatively fresh washing water after washing the front and back surfaces thereof. Edition 1
Since the relatively dirty water used for cleaning the back side of 2 was made to overflow quickly, a cleaning effect equivalent to that obtained when a large amount of conventional cleaning water was used in the past can be obtained. it can.

The washing water overflowing from the tray 62 is washed by the washing tank 2
8 and the washing water in the washing tank 28 exceeds a predetermined amount and is sent to the waste liquid tank 184 by the overflow pipe 182, but most of the washing water is supplied to the developing tank 18 by the pump 186. It is used as dilution water in a predetermined ratio with the amount of the stock replenishing solution replenished in 18.

Upon completion of the water washing process, the PS plate 12 is guided by the guide roller 80 and sent to the finisher unit 26 which is a desensitizing unit, and is nipped and carried by the carrying roller 78. Here, the desensitizing process is performed by the gum liquid discharged from the spray pipes 82 and 188.

PS discharged from the finisher section 26
The plate 12 reaches the outlet 104 of the casing 100,
When the PS plate 12 does not pass, the shutter 107, which is in the closed state, is closed and the PS plate 12 is discharged.

Here, in the rinse section of the present embodiment, the amount of washing water discharged (dripping) from the spray pipe 56 per unit time is adjusted according to the width dimension intersecting the transport direction of the PS plate 12. .

The flush water supply control routine will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, step 200
Then, the data (PS
The width dimension of the plate 12) is read. This stores the previous input data. In the next step 202, it is determined whether or not data is newly input by key input or the like, and if a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to step 204,
This newly input data is read. The stored data is updated by this reading.

If the determination in step 202 is negative, step 204 is skipped, the previous data is applied as it is, and the process proceeds to step 206.

In step 206, it is judged whether or not the sensor 108 has detected the leading edge of the PS plate 12, and if a positive judgment is made, the routine proceeds to step 208, and the timer is reset / started. This timer is applied when determining the discharge timing of flush water. Note that step 206
In the case of negative determination in step 202, the process returns to step 202.

At the next step 210, the input PS
An optimum duty ratio is selected from four types of duty ratios (see FIG. 5) stored in advance in the memory 132A based on the width dimension of the plate 12.

That is, when the width of the PS plate 12 is small, the amount of washing water may be small, so that the duty ratio is low. If the width is large, it is necessary to increase the amount of washing water, so that the duty ratio is high. Choose one.

In the next step 212, it is judged whether or not it is the discharge timing. This can be determined by the elapsed time of the timer.

If an affirmative decision is made in step 212, the operation proceeds to step 214, and energization of the motor 122 is started. At this time, since the power is supplied based on the duty ratio set in step 212, the motor 122 apparently continuously rotates according to the selected duty ratio. By driving the motor 122, the washing water is sucked from the suction port 126 of the pump 180, is discharged from the discharge port 128, and the washing water can be dripped onto the surface of the upper roller of the transport roller 53 by the spray pipe 56. .

At the next step 216, it is judged whether or not the rear edge of the PS plate 12 is detected by the sensor 108.
If an affirmative determination is made, the timer is reset / started in step 218, and the process proceeds to step 220.

In step 220, the elapsed time of the timer is compared with the time from when the rear end of the PS plate 12 is detected at a predetermined conveying speed to when the PS plate 12 moves backward through one of the conveying rollers 53. By doing so, it can be easily determined. As a result, it is determined whether or not the discharge end time is reached, and if an affirmative determination is made, the routine proceeds to step 222, the timer is stopped, and the routine returns to step 202.

As described above, in this embodiment, the pump 180
Since the duty of the energization of the motor 122 for operating the motor is controlled and the optimum duty ratio is selected from the four types of duty ratios stored in the memory 132A in advance, a relatively inexpensive bellows type pump is used. Also, the discharge amount of washing water can be adjusted. Further, apparently, the motor 122 is continuously rotated, so that the PS plate 1
The washing water supplied on the surface of No. 2 can be almost uniformly washed without being exhausted.

The washing unit 24 stores the washing water in a large tank, and the required minimum amount of washing water is dripped by using two pairs of conveying rollers 52, 53 instead of the circulation type in which the washing water is circulated. Since it is a non-circulation type that is then discarded, it is a water washing tank 2
8 can be made relatively small, a circulation pump, piping, etc. are not required, and the overall size of the device can be reduced.

In addition, it has occurred in the case of the circulation type device,
It is possible to solve the problem that the precipitates solidify on the rollers and the like due to evaporation from a large processing liquid tank for storing and circulating the processing liquid that has fallen after processing the PS plate 12, thus improving maintainability. can do. The total amount of waste in this embodiment is 25 to 100 cc / m ² regardless of the treated area per day, which can be greatly reduced compared to the conventional 150 to 500 c / m ² .

A plurality of sensors corresponding to the sensor 108 are provided in the widthwise direction of conveyance of the PS plate 12 to automatically detect the width of the PS name 12 so that the width information is transmitted to the blind eye 132A. The duty ratio may be determined according to

In the present embodiment, four kinds of duty ratios are stored in the memory 132A of the controller 132,
The duty ratio may be determined by calculating the optimum amount of rinsing water per unit time according to the width dimension of the PS plate 12 to be processed without being stored in advance, and obtaining the rotation speed of the motor by back calculation.

Further, in this embodiment, the finisher section 2
Although 6 does not have a saucer, the lower conveying roller 78 is directly immersed in the gum solution tank, but a saucer may be provided like the water washing section 24. Further, the finisher portion may also be a non-circulating type depending on the processing performance of the gum solution.

[0089]

As described above, the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to the present invention has an excellent effect that the rinse liquid consumption can be reduced to the necessary minimum amount without impairing the processing performance. Have.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a PS plate processor according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a PS plate processor according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tray.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a pump and its drive system for supplying washing water to a spray nozzle.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing a pattern of duty ratios stored in a memory of a control unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flush water supply control routine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 PS plate processor 12 PS plate 22 developing unit 24 water washing unit 26 finisher unit 52 upstream roller pair 53 downstream roller pair 56 spray pipe 122 motor 132 control unit 180 pump

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A rinsing liquid is dripped onto the upper roller from the uppermost direction of the most downstream transport roller among the transport rollers while sandwiching and transporting the photosensitive lithographic printing plate which has undergone the development process with two pairs of transport rollers. The surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is treated by diffusing a rinsing liquid on the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and the rinsing liquid falling from the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is a lower roller of the transport rollers. At least a part of which is stored in a saucer provided so as to be immersed, and a photosensitive lithographic plate provided with a rinse portion for treating the back surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate by pumping up the stored rinse liquid on the surface of the lower roller. A printing plate processing apparatus, comprising: a rinse liquid supply unit for dropping the rinse liquid onto the upper roller; and a rinse liquid supply unit for supplying the rinse liquid to the rinse liquid supply unit by a driving force of a drive unit. A pump, and a control unit that adjusts the supply amount of the rinse liquid by changing the duty ratio according to the width dimension of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate treated with the rinse liquid when energizing the driving unit. Lithographic printing plate processing equipment. 2. The photosensitive lithographic printing plate processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined cycle is 10 seconds or less, and the predetermined cycle is selected from a plurality of predetermined duty ratios.