JPH0792685A - Automatic plate supplying and discharging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an automatic plate supplying and discharging device which efficiently supplies printing plates to a small number of composers. CONSTITUTION:This automatic plate supplying and discharging device 26 of an automatic composing system 10 is composed of a PS plate supplier 14 which laminates and houses PS plates 12 on each of many stages of trays 100, a punching table 16 which is adjacent to a tray drawing out direction (arrow A direction) of the PS plate supplier, a belt conveyor 20 which is adjacent to the punching table and a transporting robot 24 which is movable on adjacent rails 22 from the PS plate supplier to a belt conveyor. The automatic composers 28 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the rails. The PS plates are sucked, held and taken out by suction cup frames 226 mounted at the front ends of arms 218 of the transporting robot and are transported to the punching table when the tray is drawn out by the signal from the automatic composer. Further, the PS plates are supplied from the punching plate to the automatic composers 20.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic plate feeding / discharging device for punching holes in a predetermined position of an unexposed printing plate to supply it to a plate-making machine and discharging the exposed printing plate from the plate-making machine. Regarding the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printing plate (for example, a PS plate, hereinafter referred to as "PS plate") used in a newspaper rotary press is exposed to an image recorded on an original film by a printing device such as a plate printing machine. Then, it is developed and supplied to the rotary press.

In general, a large number of PS plates (for example, 500 to 1000) are mounted on a printing plate mounting table (hereinafter referred to as "skid") in a state of being horizontal or inclined, and fixedly packed by a printing plate manufacturing company. It is transported to users such as newspaper companies. Usually, one skid has the same size PS
The plates are stacked, and the PS plates, which are the uppermost layers on the skids, are sequentially supplied to the printing plate printing apparatus to expose the images on the PS plates.

When the PS plate is supplied to the plate-making machine, it is necessary to select the size of the PS plate in accordance with the size of the original film. Therefore, when exposing the image on the PS plate, it is possible to select one of many types of PS plates. It is necessary to select and supply the PS plate of the most suitable size according to the original film.

In recent years, there is an increasing need for automation of the image exposure process on the PS plate. In the automation of this image exposure process, a method has been proposed in which the PS plate is automatically taken out and punched, and then supplied to a plate-making machine. At this time, compared with the work of taking out the PS plate and punching holes, the exposure process in the plate-making machine takes a long time, so that it is continuously supplied to a large number of plate-making machines (for example, 4 or more). Is possible. For this purpose, a plurality of skids each loaded with a PS plate of a different size are loaded at predetermined positions in advance, and a skid loaded with a PS plate of a desired size is selected from these skids, Applicable skid to PS
Since the plate can be taken out and punched automatically and supplied to the plate-making machine, a large number of plate-making machines can be operated smoothly and efficiently, and a large number of PS plates can be image-exposed in a short time. be able to.

[0006]

However, in the system configured as described above, since a large amount of printing plates can be continuously supplied to a large number of plate-making machines, a space for loading a large number of skids is provided. Must be secured,
A large installation space is required. It is necessary to secure a large space for loading a large number of skids according to the plate size even when using one or a plurality of plate-making machines, and the plate feeding device becomes large with respect to the number of plate-making machines. There is a problem that it ends up.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and provides an automatic plate feeding / discharging device for supplying a printing plate smoothly to a small number of plate making machines, while not requiring a large installation space. The purpose is to do.

[0008]

An automatic plate feeding / discharging device according to claim 1 of the present invention supplies an unexposed printing plate to a plate making machine and automatically takes out an exposed printing plate from the plate making machine. A plate feeding / discharging device, wherein a plurality of trays in which the unexposed printing plates are accommodated are individually accommodated so as to be drawn out, and punch holes are formed at predetermined positions of the unexposed printing plates. The punch table to be punched, a transfer means for transferring the exposed printing plate discharged from the plate-making machine to the next step, and a predetermined printing plate adsorbed and held from the tray by the movement of the arm to take out the punch. While transporting to the table and supplying the punched printing plate from the punch table to the plate making machine,
Based on the conveying means for adsorbing and holding the exposed printing plate to the transferring means and discharging it from the plate making machine, the input means provided in the plate making machine, and the plate making information inputted to the input means Control means for controlling the operation of pulling out the tray and the operation of the transport means.

An automatic plate feeding / discharging device according to claim 2 of the present invention is an automatic plate feeding / discharging device for supplying an unexposed printing plate to a plate making machine and taking out an exposed printing plate from the plate making machine. A printing plate accommodating portion in which a plurality of trays accommodating the unexposed printing plates are individually accommodated so as to be drawn out, and a punch base for punching holes at predetermined positions of the unexposed printing plates. A transfer means for transferring the exposed printing plate discharged from the plate-making machine to the next step, and a predetermined printing plate adsorbed and held out of the tray by the movement of the arm and conveyed to the punch table. The punching plate is supplied from the punching table to the plate-making machine, and the carrying means for adsorbing and holding the exposed printing plate from the plate-making machine to the transfer means to discharge the plate is provided in the plate-making machine. Input means and the input means First control means for controlling the operation of pulling out the tray and the operation of the conveying means based on the breeding information, the means for detecting the exposed printing plate provided in the transferring means, and the detection signal of the detecting means Second control means for controlling the transfer speed of the exposed printing plate based on the above.

An automatic plate feeding / discharging device according to claim 3 of the present invention is the automatic plate feeding / discharging device according to claim 1 or 2.
The operation of the punch table is controlled by the control means.

An automatic plate feeding / discharging device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the automatic plate feeding / discharging device according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the conveying means performs the exposure from the plate making machine. After discharging the printing plate, the unexposed printing plate is continuously supplied from the punch table to the plate-making machine.

An automatic plate feeding / discharging device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the automatic plate feeding / discharging device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, characterized in that a plurality of the plate making machines are provided. .

[0013]

The automatic plate feeding / discharging device according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises:
Since the printing plate is stored in the tray of the printing plate storage unit and the tray is pulled out as necessary to take out the printing plate, it is possible to reduce the installation space of the printing plate storage unit in which the printing plate is loaded. it can. By narrowing the installation space of the printing plate accommodating section, it is possible to reduce the amount of movement of the printing plate that is taken out from the tray by the carrying means and is carried to the punch table, and it is possible to carry it in a short time.

Further, in the automatic plate feeding / discharging device, the control means is responsive to the plate making information inputted to the plate making machine by the input means.
The tray is pulled out and the operation of the conveying means is controlled, and the conveying means conveys the printing plate from the printing plate accommodating section to the punch table, from the punch table to the plate making machine, and from the plate making machine to the transfer means to each step. .

An automatic plate feeding / discharging apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes first control means for controlling the conveying means and the like, and second control means for controlling the transfer means. The second control means controls the transport speed of the printing plate based on the detection result of the detection means.

Thus, for example, when the exposed printing plate is sent to the developing device for developing the exposed printing plate by the transfer means, the printing plate is transferred at a high speed in advance, and when the printing plate is inserted into the developing device, By changing the transport speed to match the transport speed of the printing plate in the developing device, the exposed printing plate can be rapidly developed from the intaglio machine even if the transport speed of the printing plate in the developing device is slow. Can be sent to the device.

In the automatic plate feeding / discharging device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the operation of the punch is controlled by the control means together with the printing plate accommodating portion and the conveying means. As a result, the punch table can be operated without delay after the printing plate is supplied to the punch table, and the punch table can be moved to a predetermined position according to the size of the printing plate without checking the size of the printing plate on the punch table. Punch holes can be drilled accurately.

In the automatic plate feeding / discharging device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, after the exposed printing plate is taken out from the plate making machine, the unexposed printing plate is continuously supplied to the plate making machine. As a result, each plate-making machine can be efficiently operated to perform image exposure.

An automatic plate feeding / discharging device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention supplies a printing plate to a plurality of plate-making machines. Since it is possible to transfer the printing plate from the printing plate accommodating section to each step of the printing plate in a short time, for example, one to three incubator machines can be respectively transferred by a single conveying means. The printing plate can be supplied and discharged without delay in response to the request from the plate-making machine.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, the automatic typesetting system 10 applied to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic plate making system 10 is a PS plate supplier having a plurality of drawer type trays 100 for accommodating a large number of unexposed printing plates (hereinafter referred to as “PS plates 12”). 14,
A punch table 16 for punching punch holes in the PS plate 12, an automatic developing machine 18 for developing the image-exposed PS plate 12, and a belt conveyor 2 for feeding the PS plate 12 to the automatic developing machine 18.
0 is arranged in a line in the order of the PS plate supplier 14, the punch table 16, the belt conveyor 20, and the automatic developing machine 18, and a pair of rails 22 are arranged adjacent to them. On this pair of rails 22, a transport robot 24 as a transport means for suction-holding and transporting the PS plate 12 by a plurality of suction cups is movably arranged along the rails 22 to configure an automatic plate feeding / discharging device 26. ing.

On the side of the rail 22 opposite to the punch table 16 and the like, one to three automatic plate engraving machines 28 are arranged (only one is shown in this embodiment), and the automatic plate engraving system 10 is provided. Composed.

In this automatic plate-making system 10, the PS plate 12 contained in the tray 100 of the PS plate supplier 14 is taken out by the transfer robot 24, punched, and then loaded into the automatic plate-making machine 28. Then, the image exposure recorded on the original film 34 is performed, and the P
The S plate 12 is fed to the automatic processor 18. For example, a stacker 30 is provided on the discharge side of the automatic developing machine 18, and the PS discharged from the automatic developing machine 18 is discharged.
The plates 12 are sequentially leaned against each other and stocked.

The PS plate 12 sent to the automatic processor 18
Is subjected to development, desensitizing treatment, etc. in the automatic developing machine 18 and discharged to the stacker 30, and then conveyed to a rotary press (not shown) or the like for use as a printing plate for printing. In addition,
A control unit 32 is arranged on the side of the PS plate supplier 14 opposite to the punch table 16, and the control unit 32 controls the PS plate supplier 14, the punch table 16, the belt conveyor 20, the automatic developing machine 18, the transfer robot 24, and the like. It is electrically connected to the automatic plate-making machine 28 and is configured to control the operation of each part. Each configuration will be described below.

PS plate supplier 1 as shown in FIG.
4 is a casing 102 having a rectangular shape and the inside of which is shielded from light.
A plurality of trays 100 are provided in the stack (7 stages as an example in this embodiment). As shown in FIG. 3, the tray 100 includes a bottom plate 104, side plates 106 on both sides,
The front panel 107 and the back panel 108 are formed into a rectangular box shape having an open top, and a front panel 110 is attached to the outside of the front panel 107.

In each tray 100, a large number (for example, about 100 sheets) of PS plates 12 are stacked and accommodated in a state in which the photosensitive surfaces are directed upward by size or type. The PS plate 12 has a thickness of about 0.24, for example.
The thickness when a PS plate 12 of about 100 sheets is laminated is about 24 using a support having a photosensitive layer on one surface.
Since it is about mm, PS version supplier 14
Even if 00 is accommodated in 7 stages, the total height is about 1 m, and when accommodating the PS plate 12 in the tray 100, the operator can easily perform the manual operation. .

This PS plate supplier 14 has a tray 10
Casing 1 with 0 accommodated in casing 102
02 and the front panel 110 shield the interior from light,
The plate 12 is prevented from being exposed unnecessarily. Further, when accommodating and taking out the PS plate 12, the corresponding tray 100 is pulled out to the punch table 16 side (the direction of arrow A shown in each drawing).

This tray 100, as shown in FIG.
Inside, the PS plate 1 is closely attached to the front plate 107 and the bottom plate 104.
A plurality of blocks 112 for positioning when accommodating two
Are attached, and the PS plate 12 is laminated with a predetermined one end surface thereof in contact with these blocks 112. In addition, the bottom plate 104 includes the side plates 106 from the center.
A pair of elongated holes 114 are formed in parallel with the front panel 110 toward the side, and a plurality of (two in this embodiment) elongated holes 116 are formed from the central portion toward the inner plate 108 side and the side plate 106. It is drilled in parallel.

On the other hand, as also shown in FIG. 4, hat metal fittings 122, 124 having elongated holes 118, 120 narrower than the elongated holes 114, 116 are formed on the lower surface side of the bottom plate 104.
Is installed. The hat fittings 122 and 124 are bent so as to form a wide groove in the center of the flat plate, and elongated holes 118 and 120 are formed in the groove.
Further, the hat metal fittings 122, 124 are arranged such that the elongated hole 118 corresponds to the elongated hole 114 and the elongated hole 116 corresponds to the elongated hole 120.

As shown in FIG. 4, these elongated holes 11
A substantially columnar pin 126 is arranged on each of the pins 4 and 116. The pin 126 is rounded at one end in the longitudinal direction. Further, the other end of the pin 126 in the longitudinal direction is provided with a male screw portion 126B having a diameter smaller than that of the middle portion.
The male screw portion 126B is inserted into the long holes 118, 120 of the hat metal fittings 122, 124 to project to the lower surface side of the bottom plate 104, and the upper side from the middle portion through the long holes 114, 116. The bottom plate 104 is arranged so as to protrude from the upper surface side. At this time, the nut knob 128 is screwed into the male screw portion 126B so that the pin 126 can be fixed at any position along the long axis direction of the long holes 114 and 116.

As shown in FIG.
When accommodating the S plate 12, the middle portion of the PS plate 12 in the width direction becomes the central portion of the tray 100 so that the long hole 1
The position of the pin 126 protruding from 14 is determined and fixed, and the long hole 11 is aligned with the vertical dimension of the PS plate 12 from the block 112 (the dimension along the arrow A direction shown in FIG. 3).
The position of the pin 126 protruding from 6 is determined and fixed.
The position of the PS plate 12 accommodated in the tray 100 is determined by these pins 126 and the block 112.
At this time, the PS plate 12 is configured such that the peripheral edge of the block 112, which is in contact with the block 112, serves as a reference for processing in the next step (hereinafter, referred to as “reference side”).

On the lower surface side of the bottom plate 104, the hat metal fitting 13 is formed in the central portion from the front plate 107 side toward the back plate 108 side.
0 is attached, and hat metal fittings 132A and 132B are provided on both sides of the hat metal fitting 130.
It is mounted parallel to 0. The tray 100 has a bottom plate 1
04, these hat metal fittings 122, 124,
130, 132A and 132B are reinforced so that the PS plate 12 accommodated therein does not bend due to the weight thereof. The hat metal fitting 130 is used for the tray 10 described later.
It also serves as a guide during movement along the 0 pull-out direction (direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 5, the casing 102
Frame 134 assembled in the shape of overlapping inner rectangles
The tray 10 between the adjacent frames 134.
0 is arranged. The frame 134 on the upper side of the tray 100 (the upper side of the paper in FIG. 5) is connected to the rodless cylinder 13 along the drawing direction (arrow A direction in FIG. 5) of the tray 100 via the brackets 138A and 138B.
6 is attached and attached. The tray 10 is mounted on the drive block 136A of the rodless cylinder 136.
A bracket 140 (also shown in FIG. 3) attached to the rear plate 108 side of the bottom plate 104 of No. 0 is connected. The bracket 140 is inserted into a roller pin 142 protruding from the bottom plate 104, and a rodless cylinder 136.
The tray 100 is moved in the pull-out direction (arrow A direction) from the frame 134 and the storage direction (direction opposite to the arrow A direction) by moving the drive block 136A.

A shock absorber 144 is attached to the end of the rodless cylinder 136 on the side of the tray 100 in the pull-out direction and the side opposite to the pull-out direction (only one is shown in FIG. 5) via a bracket 144A.
The drive block 136A that moves in the housing direction and the pull-out direction of the tray 100 comes into contact with the shock absorber 144 and gently stops at a predetermined position.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, on the outer surface of the side plate 106 of the tray 100, in parallel with the bottom plate 104 from the vicinity of the front plate 107 to the vicinity of the back plate 108 along the drawing direction. The flange portion 146 is extended. The lower surface of the flange portion 146 forms substantially the same plane as the lower surface of the bottom plate 104.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the frame 1
At the end of the tray 34 on the tray 100 pull-out direction side, the tray 1
A plurality of substantially L-shaped brackets 148 are attached to the lower side of 00. These brackets 148 are for tray 1
A pair of brackets are attached to the central portion in the direction orthogonal to the pulling-out direction of 00, and to both ends thereof.
A guide roller 150 is rotatably attached to 48. As shown in FIG. 6, these guide rollers 150 are the guide rollers 150A arranged in the central portion.
However, they are in contact with the bottom plate 104 of the tray 100 so as to sandwich the above-mentioned hat metal fitting 130, and the guide rollers 150B at both ends are arranged so as to contact with the flange portion 146 extending from the tray 100.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7B,
Guide plates 152 are attached to the frames 134 on both sides in a direction orthogonal to the tray 100 withdrawing direction along the tray 100 withdrawing direction. This guide plate 152
A vertical wall portion 152A is provided upright from the frame 134 (upward in the plane of the drawing), and a horizontal portion 152B is bent inward from the vertical wall portion 152A in a direction orthogonal to the drawing direction. The horizontal portion 152B is formed above the flange portion 146 of the tray 100.

On the other hand, on the side plate 106 of the tray 100, a pair of guide rollers 154 are attached vertically in pairs on the back plate 108 side, and the outer peripheral surface holds the horizontal portion 152B of the guide plate 152. As a result, the back plate 10 of the tray 100 is
The eight side is supported by the frame 134 via the guide plate 152.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7A,
The side plate 106 of the tray 100 has a pair of guide rollers 1
A bracket 156 is provided so as to project in the vicinity of 54, and a guide roller 158 rotatably abutted on the standing wall portion 152A of the guide plate 152 is provided at the tip of the bracket 156.
Is installed. Therefore, although the tray 100 can move in the direction of pulling out from the frame 100 and in the direction opposite to the pulling direction, the movement in the direction orthogonal to the pulling direction causes the guide roller 158 to come into contact with the standing wall portion 152A of the guide plate 152. Have been thwarted by.

That is, in the tray 100, the guide roller 150A abutting on the bottom plate 104, the guide roller 150B abutting on the flange portion 148, and the pair of guide rollers 154 for sandwiching the horizontal portion 152B of the guide plate 152 pull out the tray 100 to the frame 134 and It is supported in a horizontal state so as to be movable in the direction opposite to the pulling-out direction, and swings up and down between a predetermined position pulled out from the casing 102 by driving the rodless cylinder 136 and a predetermined position housed in the casing 102. It is possible to move without doing.

When the tray 100 is moved, the guide roller 150A that abuts the bottom plate 104 with the hat metal fitting 130 interposed therebetween and the standing wall portion 152 of the guide plate 152.
The guide roller 158 abutting against A blocks the movement of the tray 100 in the direction orthogonal to the pulling-out direction.
The tray 100 is moved in a stable state. When the tray 100 is pulled out to a predetermined position, the area of the bottom plate 104 that houses the PS plate 12 is exposed from the casing 102, and the PS plate 12 can be housed and taken out.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the transfer robot 24 is arranged on a pair of rails 22. The transfer robot 24 is configured such that a drive motor 202 and a gantry 204 are provided on the upper surface of a base plate 200 that is stretched between a pair of rails 22.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the pair of rails 22 are fixed to the floor by anchor bolts or the like. Further, on the lower surface side of the rail 22, the guide rail 2
06 is attached. The guide rail 206 is attached downward to the base plate 200 so as to sandwich the pair of rails 22, and the slider 21 is attached to a leg portion 208 whose tip portion is bent inward toward the rail 22.
0 is slidably engaged, whereby the base plate 200 is movably supported by the rail 22.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a rack gear 212 is attached to one rail 22. A pinion gear 214 attached to the tip of a drive shaft 202A that penetrates through the base plate 200 from a drive motor 202 attached to the base plate 200 is meshed with the rack gear 212. Therefore, the drive motor 20
When 2 drives and the pin-on gear 214 rotates, the mesh position of the pinion gear 214 and the rack gear 212 moves relatively, and the base plate 200 moves along the rail 22.

A limit switch (not shown) for stopping the movement of the base plate 200 at a predetermined position is provided between the rail 22 and the base plate 200, and the base plate 200, that is, the carrying switch, is moved to an arbitrary preset position. Robot 2
4 can be moved. Also,
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, shock absorbers 180 are attached to both ends of the rail 22 in the longitudinal direction. When the base plate 200 moves to the tip of the rail 22, the shock absorbers 180 are attached. Base plate 2
00 to stop the base plate 200 gently so as to prevent the base plate 200 from coming off the rail 22. The transport robot 24 is adapted to move to any end of the rail 22 and stop there during standby or when operation of the apparatus is stopped (standby or original position).

A cable rack 182 is arranged between the pair of rails 22. The cable rack 182 houses electric wiring and air piping connected to the transfer robot 24 moving on the rail 22, and a bendable cable bear 184 is housed in only one side. The cable bear 184 is configured so that the bending position moves as the base plate 200 moves, and the cable bear 184 is sequentially withdrawn or accommodated from the cable rack 182.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a base 216 is rotatably attached to the base 204 of the base plate 200, and the base 216 is rotated around the base 204 by a drive motor (not shown). It is designed to move.

As shown in FIG. 8, this base 200
An arm 218 is provided above. Arm 218
Are the link members 220, 2 attached to the base 216.
The link members 220 and 222 are attached via a link mechanism constituted by 22. The link members 220 and 222 are rotationally driven in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 8 by separate drive motors (not shown). The arm 218 is provided with these link members 22.
The tip portion is moved vertically and horizontally by the rotation of 0, 222.

A suction frame 226 is attached to the tip of the arm 218 via a wrist 224. The wrist unit 224 is driven by a driving unit (not shown).
The arm 218 is rotatable in the direction of arrow D about a point C at the tip of the arm 218, and the suction frame 2 is centered around this wrist portion.
26 is rotatable. This allows the suction cup frame 226 to be oriented in any direction within a predetermined range.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the long rectangular suction cup frame 226, the base portion 228 attached to the central portion is connected to the wrist portion 224 at the tip of the arm 218 of the transfer robot 24 (see FIG. 8). A plurality of substantially L-shaped brackets 230 (three in this embodiment) are attached to the center of one long side of the suction cup frame 226, and both sides of the bracket 230 and the other long side thereof. A plurality of brackets 232 are attached to the.

The air cylinder 2 is attached to the bracket 230.
34 are attached to each air cylinder 2
The drive shaft 234A of 34 penetrates the bracket 230,
A suction cup 236 is attached to the tip. When the air cylinder 234 is driven by supplying air, the drive shaft 234A is contracted so that the suction cup 236 protruding from the suction cup frame 226 approaches the suction cup frame 226.

On the other hand, a slide bearing 238 is attached to the bracket 232, and this slide bearing 238 is attached.
A rod 242 having a suction cup 240 attached to a distal end portion penetrating the bracket 232 is slidably attached to each of the above. In addition, the suction cup 240 and the bracket 232
A compression coil spring 244 is attached between and. Therefore, the rod 242 is in a protruding state by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 244, and the suction cup 240 is
It forms the same plane as the suction cup 236 attached to the tip of the drive shaft 234A of the extended air cylinder 234. When the suction cup 240 is pressed, the rod 242 resists the urging force of the compression coil spring 244 in the axial direction. The suction cup 240 is slowly moved by moving to.

When the PS plate 12 is taken out from the tray 100 of the PS plate supplier 14, the suction plate frame 226 moves downward in parallel with the suction plates 236, 240 facing the outermost PS plate 12 and moves to the PS plate. Approach 12
At this time, the sucker rows on the air cylinder 234 side face each other along the reference side of the end portion on the front panel 110 side of the tray 100 (see FIG. 11). Even in each process on the downstream side, which will be described later, in the suction cup frame 226, the suction plate array on the air cylinder 234 side is always the PS plate 1
It faces the reference side of No. 2.

As shown in FIG. 11, suction cups 236, 2
A negative pressure generated by a negative pressure source 246 (for example, a vacuum pump provided in the control unit 32) is branched and supplied to 40.
A pipe line 248A branched from the negative pressure source 246 is provided with a solenoid valve 250A and a vacuum switch 252A in an intermediate portion, and a suction cup 236 and suction cups 240 arranged on both sides of the suction cup 236.
(Hereinafter referred to as “sucker 240A” when separated from others), the solenoid valve 250B and the vacuum switch 25 are provided in the middle part.
The pipe line 248B provided with 2B is provided with a suction cup 240 in the central portion attached to the opposite side of the suction cup 236 (hereinafter, similarly referred to as "suction cup 2
40B ") is connected. Also, the sucker frame 22
A solenoid valve 250C and a vacuum switch 25 are attached to the suction cups 240 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of 6 (hereinafter similarly referred to as "suction cups 240C").
A pipe line 248C provided with 2C is connected.

Thus, in the transfer robot 24, when the large-sized PS plate 12 (PS plate 12B) is taken out, the solenoid valves 250A to 250C are opened and all the suction cups 23 are opened.
Supplying negative pressure to 6,240, small size PS plate 12
When taking out (PS plate 12A), the solenoid valve 250
By opening A and B, negative pressure is supplied to the suction cups 236, 240A and 240B. Also, the vacuum switch 25
2A to C, it is possible to detect whether or not the suction cups 236 and 240 respectively connected to the conduits 248A to 248C have adsorbed the PS plate 12.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, a bracket 254 is attached to the suction frame 226 near the bracket 230 to which the air cylinder 234 is attached. A plate detection sensor 256 and a remaining amount detection sensor 258 are attached to the bracket 254. In this embodiment, as an example, the plate detection sensor 256 and the remaining amount detection sensor 258 use photoelectric sensors in which a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion are integrally provided, and the light emitted from the light emitting portion is reflected on the object to be measured. Then, it is activated when it reaches the light receiving part.

As shown in FIG. 12, the plate detection sensor 2
56 faces the end of the PS plate 12 stacked on the tray 100 on the reference position side, and the remaining amount detection sensor 258 is
It faces the bottom plate 104 around the stacked PS plates 12. In order to take out the PS plate 12 from the tray 100, a predetermined height (for example, the suction plates 236 and 240 are the outermost PS plate 1) from the surface of the PS plate 12 on which the suction frame 226 is laminated.
The plate detection sensor 256 detects the PS plate 12 when approaching up to about 10 mm above 2. In addition, the remaining amount detection sensor 258 has a thickness of the PS plate 12 accommodated in the tray 100 that is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, about 1).
When the sucker frame 226 approaches the PS plate 12 in the state of (0 or less), the bottom plate 104 of the tray 100 is detected before the plate detection sensor 256.
As a result, it is detected that the remaining amount of the PS plate 12 has reached the predetermined number.

The suction cup frame 226 moves down at a relatively high speed until the plate detection sensor 256 detects the outermost PS plate 12, and after the plate detection sensor 256 detects the PS plate 12, Slowly move to suckers 236, 2
40 is brought into contact with the surface of the outermost PS plate 12, so that the PS plate 12 can be quickly adsorbed without being damaged.

After the PS plate 12 is adsorbed by the suction cups 236 and 240, first, the air cylinder 234 is driven to lift the center of one end of the PS plate 12. At this time, the driving amount of the air cylinders 234 in the central portion is made smaller than the driving amounts of the air cylinders 234 on both sides so that the adsorbed PS plate 12 is curved so that the PS plate 1 of the outermost layer is
A gap is created between the second PS plate 12 and the second PS plate 12 by the rigidity of the PS plate 12. As a result, air enters between the outermost PS plate 12 and the next PS plate 12, and the close contact between the PS plates 12 is released to separate them, so that only the outermost PS plate 12 can be reliably taken out. I am able to do it. Note that air may be forcibly supplied from a nozzle or the like between the outermost PS plate 12 formed by driving the air cylinder 234 and the next PS plate 12 to separate them.

As shown in FIG. 1, a punch platen 260 on the upper surface of the punch table 16 is formed, and a plurality of punchers 262 are arranged on the PS plate supplier 14 side of the punch platen 260. There is. Also, the punch surface plate 260
In the hole, elongated holes 264 and 266 for projecting a pusher (not shown) for positioning the PS plate 12 at a predetermined position on the punch surface plate 260 are formed.

The PS plate 12 taken out by the transfer robot 24 from the tray 100 of the PS plate supplier 14 is
While being held by the suction cup frame 226, it is rotated by 180 ° along a horizontal plane and placed on the punch surface plate 260 with the puncher 262 side being the reference side. Thereafter, the pusher (not shown) positions the puncher 262 as a reference, and the puncher 262 punches a punch hole 276 (see FIG. 14) at a predetermined position according to the size. That is, a plurality of punchers 262
Which of the punchers is operated depends on the control unit 32.
It is decided by the signal from
Is drilled.

Thereafter, the PS plate 12 is taken out from the punch surface plate 260 by the transfer robot 24 at a predetermined timing and supplied to the automatic plate-making machine 28.

As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic plate-making machine 28
Has an inclined surface in which the work surface 270 is inclined by about 70 ° with respect to the horizontal plane (see also FIG. 14). As shown in FIG. 13, the work surface 270 is divided into three types of work parts, and the right side of the paper surface of FIG. 13 is an exposure table 272 on which the unexposed PS plate 12 is loaded and exposed. ing. The PS plate 12 having punch holes 276 formed at predetermined positions on the punch table 16 is supplied to and mounted on the exposure table 272 by the transport robot 24.

As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of pins 274 are erected on the exposure table 272, and the pins 274 are inserted into the punch holes 276 of the PS plate 12, respectively.
The plate 12 is positioned and mounted on the exposure table 272.

The pin 274 has a substantially cylindrical shape and its tip portion is gradually reduced in diameter and then rounded.
The shape is such that it can be easily inserted into 76.
As shown in FIG. 14A, in the PS plate 12, the suction cup frame 226 is tilted according to the tilt of the exposure table 272, and the PS plate 12 is opposed to the exposure table 272 with the upper side serving as a reference. At this time, the suction cup frame 226 is moved so that the punch hole 276 of the PS plate 12 and the pin 274 of the exposure table 272 are coaxial with each other to approach a predetermined position. After this, the suction cup 2 that closes the solenoid valves 250A and 250C (see FIG. 11) and holds the end portion where the punch holes 276 are formed.
Release the adsorption by 36, 240A, and 240C. This results in punched holes 276, as shown in FIG. 14B.
Side end hangs down and pin 274 is inserted into punch hole 276.
The tip of the inserts.

Thereafter, the solenoid valve 250B is closed and the suction cup 2
By releasing the adsorption of the PS plate 12 by 40B,
The PS plate 12 is hung and placed on the exposure table 272.
At this time, the pin 274 is smoothly and reasonably inserted into the punch hole 276 by the weight of the PS plate 12 (see FIG. 14C). In this state, attach the suction frame 226 to the exposure table 272.
The PS plate 12 is mounted at a predetermined position on the exposure table 272 by bringing the PS plate 12 toward the exposure table 272 by the suction cups 236 and 240.
A suction groove (not shown) is formed on the surface of the exposure table 272, and a negative pressure is supplied to the suction groove to hold the mounted PS plate 12 in close contact with the exposure table 272, and then, The pin 274 is housed inside the exposure table 272.

On the other hand, in the work surface 270, the lower part of the exposure table 272 on the left side of the drawing is an original loading section 278 for loading the original film 34 on which the image to be printed on the PS plate 12 is loaded. An upper side of the document forming unit 280 is for loading the finished document film 34, and the document films 34 are stacked and stocked in the document loading unit 278 and the document discharging unit 280. There is.

A guide rail 282 (see FIG. 1) is formed on the upper end surface of the automatic plate-making machine 28. The guide rail 282 does not show a frame body 286 provided with an exposure section 284. It is engaged by the driving means so as to be movable along the width direction of the work surface 270 (left and right direction on the paper surface of FIG. 13). The exposure unit 284 is movable in the frame body 286 along the vertical direction. As a result, the exposure section 284 can be moved to any position along the surface of the work surface 270.

In the exposure section 284, a light source is provided on the side opposite to the work surface 270, and a suction groove for adsorbing and holding the peripheral portion of the original film 34 is formed on the work surface 270 side. No glass plate is provided. The light source unit 284 holds the original film 34 stocked in the original loading unit 278 in close contact with this glass plate, moves it to a predetermined position of the PS plate 12 loaded on the exposure table 272, and turns on the light source. Exposure is performed according to the image recorded on the original film. When the exposure is completed, the light source unit 284 is moved to the document discharge unit 280, the holding of the sucked document film 34 is released, and the document film 34 is passed to the document discharge unit 280.

The light source unit 34 is provided with a mask member (not shown) for shielding an arbitrary region of the original film 34, and the mask member is used to shield an unnecessary portion from light for exposure. Has become. Further, in the automatic plate-making machine 28 applied to the present embodiment, the surface of the PS plate 12 is divided so that the image of the original film 34 can be exposed in each of the divided areas (the book). In the embodiment, it is divided into 6 as an example).

In the automatic plate-making machine 28, when the exposure of the PS plate 12 is completed, the frame 286 is retracted from the exposure table 272 to the document discharging section 280 (or the document loading section 278) side,
The surface of the exposure table 272 is opened. Along with the movement of the light source unit 284, the suction frame 226 of the transfer robot 24 is moved.
However, the PS plate 12 is moved so as to face the PS plate 12 on the exposure table 272, and the PS plate 12 is suction-held and taken out.

This automatic plate former 28 has an input device 28A.
Is provided, and when the original film 34 is mounted, the platemaking conditions (the number of exposures, the size of the original film, etc.) are input. The platemaking conditions and the like inputted to the automatic platemaking machine 28 are inputted to the control section 32 of the automatic plate feeding / discharging device 26.
Further, the automatic plate former 28 requests the PS plate 12 to be exposed next before exposing the final image (for example, the exposure of the sixth image) to one PS plate 12. There is.
In the automatic plate feeding / discharging device 26, the
When the S plate 12 is requested, the PS plate 12 requested by the PS plate supplier 14 is selected, taken out, and supplied to the punch table 16. PS plate 12 after exposure
Are then conveyed to the belt conveyor 20. As shown in FIG. 15, the belt conveyor 20 includes a pair of side plates 30.
The top of the casing 302 with 0 is open,
The insertion table 306 of the automatic developing device 18 is adjacent to the open portion.

A long connecting member 324 is laid between the pair of side plates 300 in parallel with the side plates 300. The connecting member 324 is supported at the center between the pair of side plates 300 by a supporting member 326 protruding from the side plates 300. Further, four shafts 312 on which rollers 310 are arranged at predetermined intervals are rotatably provided on the pair of side plates 300, and an intermediate portion of the shafts 312 is rotatably supported by a connecting member 324. There is.

A wide endless conveyor belt 314 is wound around these rollers 310. In this embodiment, six rollers 310 are arranged on one shaft 312, and the six conveyor belts 314 are wound in parallel with each other and are moved in the same direction so that the upper surfaces are flush with each other. It has become.

A shaft 328 is stretched between a pair of side plates 300 between the shafts 312 adjacent to each other, and is rotatably supported by the side plates 300 and the connecting member 324. The conveyor belt 31 is attached to the shaft 328.
The roller 330 is attached corresponding to the number 4. Both ends of the roller 330 in the axial direction are expanded from the central part, and the central part in the axial direction corresponds to the conveyor belt 314, and the expanded parts at both ends are located at both ends in the width direction of the conveyor belt 314. In this case, the transport belt 314 is restricted from moving in the width direction.

The mounting positions of these shafts 328 are
The shaft 328 is lower than the shaft 312, the central shaft 328 is inserted between the conveyor belts 314, and the shafts 328 on both sides are arranged below the conveyor belt 314. The conveyor belt 314 is always biased upward by a predetermined tension.

On the other hand, a guide plate 332 is arranged between the conveying belt 314 on the front side of the paper (opposite the rail 22) with respect to the connecting member 324, and is supported by the supporting member 326. The upper surface of the guide plate 332 is slightly lower than the upper surface of the conveyor belt 314 so as not to project.

The automatic plate-making machine 28 is operated by the transfer robot 24.
The PS plate 12 taken out from the conveyor belt 3 is
It is designed to be placed on top of 14. When the PS plate 12 is placed on the conveyor belt 314, the reference side of the PS plate 12 is placed close to the side plate 300 on the rail 22 side (the back side of the paper in FIG. 15). At this time, PS of small size
The plate 12 (12A) is placed so as to be stretched between the side plate 300 on the rail 22 side and the vicinity of the connecting member 324, and the large-sized PS plate 12 (12B) is substantially in the entire area between the pair of side plates 300. Will be hung over. Therefore, when the transport robot 24 holds the large-sized PS plate 12B, the end of the large-sized PS plate 12B opposite to the reference side hangs down toward the transport belt 314, but the guide plate 3
22 prevents the hanging end of the PS plate 12B from entering between the conveyor belts 314.

In the casing 302, the motor 3
16 is provided, and the drive shaft 31 of this motor 316
An endless drive chain 322 is wound between the sprocket 318 attached to 6A and the sprocket 320 provided at the tip of the shaft 312 on the insertion stand 306 side of the automatic developing machine 18. As a result, the driving force of the motor 316 is transmitted to the shaft 312 via the drive chain 322, and the conveyor belt 314 is driven.

On the other hand, the shaft 310 on the side of the automatic processor 18
Near the conveyor belt 31 on the side opposite to the guide plate 332.
A plate detection sensor 334 is arranged between the four. The plate detection sensor 334 is adapted to detect the passage of the PS plate 12 conveyed by the conveyor belt 314, and the motor 316 detects the rotation speed depending on the state in which the plate detection sensor 334 detects the PS plate 12. Changes and suspensions are made.

That is, when the motor 316 mounts the PS plate 12 on the conveyor belt 314 by the conveyor robot 24, the conveyor belt 314 is stopped, and the vacuum switch 252A, 252B or 252C.
When the vacuum release (the suction release of the PS plate 12 by the suction cups 236 and 246) is detected by the PS plate 1, the PS plate 1 is rotated at a relatively high speed in response to a signal from the control unit 32, and the PS plate 1 is quickly rotated.
2 is conveyed toward the automatic developing machine 18, the plate detection sensor 334 detects the leading edge of the PS plate 12 and a predetermined time has elapsed, and the leading edge of the conveyed PS plate 12 is inserted into the automatic developing machine 18. The rotation speed is reduced at a timing so that the conveyance speed of the PS plate 12 by the conveyance belt 314 matches the conveyance speed of the PS plate 12 of the automatic developing machine 18. Further, when the plate detection sensor 334 detects the passage of the rear end of the PS plate 12 conveyed by the conveyor belt 314, the driving is stopped. As a result, the PS plate 12 placed on the carrier robot 24 is quickly and smoothly fed to the automatic developing machine 18.

Further, the shaft 312 on the side of the automatic processor 18
The shaft 336 is parallel to the upper side of the pair of side plates 300.
It is hung between the bearings via a bearing (not shown). A plurality of pairs of rollers 338 each having a small width are arranged between the shaft 336 and the shaft 312. Shaft 3
The roller 36 is supported in a state where these rollers 338 are in contact with the roller 338 of the shaft 312, and the rotation of the shaft 312 is transmitted.

Therefore, the PS plate 12 conveyed on the conveyor belt 314 and sent out is sandwiched between the shafts 336 and the rollers 338 arranged in a pair between the shafts 312, and the conveying force of the conveyor belt 314 is increased by the rollers 338. Is reliably transmitted via the. As a result, even when passing through the insertion table 306 between the belt conveyor 20 and the automatic developing machine 18, the PS plate 12 can be surely imparted with a conveying force to be conveyed in a stable state. .

In the automatic processor 18, the belt conveyor 20
The PS plate 12 sent from the above is subjected to a developing treatment with a developing solution, and then subjected to a desensitizing treatment for protecting the plate surface and discharged. PS plate 12 discharged from the automatic processor 18
Are sequentially leaned against the stacker 30 and accumulated.
The PS plates 12 accumulated on the stacker 30 are mounted on the rotary press as a printing plate for printing after, for example, a plate bending process for winding them around the plate cylinder of the rotary press.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the automatic breeding system 10, in order to prevent unnecessary entry into the operation range of the transfer robot 24, it is divided by a protective fence 340, ropes, chains, etc. Maintenance of automatic plate version, PS plate 12 to PS plate supplier 14
A safety mechanism is provided to stop the transport robot 24 at a predetermined standby position or an original position and then perform a predetermined work after removing the protective fence 340.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

First, prior to the operation of the automatic plate transfer system 10, the PS plates 12 of a predetermined size are stacked and housed in each tray 100 of the PS plate supplier 14. Further, in the automatic platemaking machine 28, the document film 34 on which the image to be exposed on the PS plate 12 is recorded is loaded in the document loading section 278, and the platemaking conditions and the like are input by the input device 28A.

Further, by supplying a ready signal from the control unit (not shown) of the automatic developing machine 18 to the control unit 32, it is confirmed that the automatic developing machine 18 is in a state capable of processing the PS plate 12.

Thereafter, the automatic plate feeding / discharging device 26 is operated to start the supply of the PS plate 12 of a desired size to the automatic plate-making machine 28. In the following description, the operation of the automatic plate feeding / discharging device 26 after the first PS plate 12 is supplied to the automatic plate-making machine 28 and the image recorded on the original film 34 is started will be described. In the automatic intaglio machine 28, the PS plate 12 is divided into six, and each divided area is exposed one image at a time. In addition, in the automatic plate making machine 28, the signal required by the next PS plate 12 and the necessary size of the PS plate 12 are set by the automatic plate feeder 26 before the exposure of the final divided image (sixth image) is started. After outputting to the controller 32 and exposing the PS plate 12 with a predetermined image,
A discharge request for the PS plate 12 mounted on the exposure table 272 is output.

The flowchart of FIG. 16 shows the operations of the PS plate supplier 14 and the transfer robot 24, which are mainly controlled by the controller 32 of the automatic plate feeding / discharging device 26.

In the first step 400, the automatic platemaking machine 2
It is confirmed whether or not there is a request signal for supplying the PS plate 12 from 8. In the automatic plate-making device 28, when the PS plate 12 is divided into six parts and exposed, while the fifth exposure is completed and the final exposure is started, the automatic plate feeding / discharging system 26 is controlled by the control unit 32. PS with the necessary size of PS plate 12
The plate 12 issues a request signal.

When a request signal for the PS plate 12 is issued from the automatic plate making machine 26, the process proceeds to step 402 to select the tray 100 containing the desired PS plate 12 and drive the transfer robot 24. PS version supplier 1
The PS plate 12 is moved from 4 to the position where it is taken out (step 404). After that, the tray 100 accommodating the PS plates 12 having a desired size stacked therein is pulled out by driving the corresponding rodless cylinder 136 (step 406), and then the PS plate 12 is taken out by the transfer robot 24. Work is performed (step 408).

In FIG. 17, the transfer robot 24 has the tray 1
The flowchart for taking out the PS plate 12 from 00 is shown. In this flowchart, the tray 100 is pulled out and the suction frame 226 of the transfer robot 24 is used.
Is started after moving to a predetermined position above the PS plate 12 accommodated in the tray 100.

In the first step 450, the suction cup frame 226 is lowered at a relatively high speed to move the suction cups 336, 3
40 in parallel to the outermost PS plate 12, while depending on the size of the PS plate 12 to be taken out, solenoid valves 250A-2
The 50C is operated to supply a negative pressure to the suction cups 236 and 240 so that the PS plate 12 can be adsorbed (step 4).
52).

In the next step 454, the plate detection sensor 2
56 confirms whether or not the PS plate 12 stacked on the tray 100 is detected. This plate detection sensor 256
Is designed to be activated when the suction cups 236, 240 approach from the PS plate 12 to a predetermined position (about 10 mm in this embodiment). When the plate detection sensor 256 operates,
Moving to step 456, the descending speed of the suction cup frame 226 is lowered and the suction cups 236, 240 are slowly PSed.
Approach the surface of plate 12.

In step 458, the suction cups 236, 24 are
Vacuum switch 2 provided in pipe line 248 for supplying negative pressure to 0
When it is confirmed whether 52 is operated, the vacuum switch 252 is operated, and it is confirmed that the predetermined suction cups 236, 240 have adsorbed the PS plate 12 of the outermost layer, the process proceeds to step 460. , Stop the lowering of the suction cup frame 226. At this time, the respective suction cups 236, 240 slowly approach the PS plate 12, the suction cup 236 is attached to the air cylinder 234, and the suction cup 240 is biased by the compression coil spring 244, so that the PS plate 1
The surface of the PS plate 12 is not strongly pressed when it comes into contact with the sheet 2, and the surface (photosensitive surface) of the PS plate 12 in contact is not damaged.

When the vacuum switch 252 is not checked in step 458, the process proceeds to step 462, and it is checked whether or not a predetermined time has passed since the suction frame 226 started moving. That is, the plate detection sensor 256
When the sucker frame 226 descends for a predetermined time after the actuation of, the suckers 236 and 240 come into contact with the PS plate 12,
At this time, if it is not possible to confirm that the suction plates 236 and 240 have sucked the PS plate 12, it is possible that the plate detection sensor 256 that has been operated earlier is defective or the detection position is displaced, and Judging that it has operated even though it is not close to the predetermined position (plate detection error),
The suction operation is stopped (step 464).

On the other hand, in step 466, the suction frame 22
When 6 stops, the PS plate 12 is taken out next. At this time, the predetermined suction cups 236, 240 are all PS plates 12
Is adsorbed.

At step 466, the air cylinder 23
4 is driven to contract the drive shaft 234A. As a result, the suction cup 2 attached to the air cylinder 234
36 rises. At this time, the central air cylinder 2
34 and the amount of contraction of the air cylinders 234 on both sides,
By forming a curve in the PS plate 12 of the outermost layer that is adsorbed, a gap is formed between the PS plate 12 of the outermost layer and the next PS plate 12, and air is introduced between the PS plates 12 through this gap. Then, only the outermost PS plate 12 is separated.

Thereafter, while raising the suction frame 226 (step 468), the drive shaft 234A of the air cylinder 234 is projected to the initial position (step 4).
70), the suction cup frame 226 is moved to a predetermined height and stopped (step 472). In this way, one PS plate 12 is sucked and held from the tray 100 and taken out.

In step 545, the plate detection sensor 25
When the operation of No. 6 is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step 474, and the remaining amount detection sensor 258 causes the bottom plate 1 of the tray 100 to operate.
It is confirmed whether 04 has come close to a predetermined distance. Remaining amount detection sensor 25 with the plate detection sensor 256 not operating
8 operates, the distance between the bottom plate 104 of the tray 100 and the PS plate 12 on the outermost layer is small, and the PS plates 12 that are accumulated are
When it is determined that the remaining amount is low, the remaining amount is notified by an alarm or the like in step 476.

In step 478, it is confirmed whether or not any of the vacuum switches 252A to 252C is activated. At least one of the vacuum switches 252A to 252C has a suction cup 236 before the plate detection sensor 256 operates.
Or, when the suction cup 240 operates by adsorbing the PS plate 12,
It moves to step 480 and confirms whether or not the remaining amount of the PS plate 12 is insufficient. At this time, step 474
The remaining amount detection sensor 258 causes the PS plate 12 on the tray 100 to
When it is detected that the remaining amount of the PS plate is insufficient (Yes in step 480), the PS plate 1 is placed on the tray 100.
2 does not exist, so the process proceeds to step 482 and PS version 12
Is notified by an alarm, etc., and P
Processing such as stopping the removal of the S plate 12 is performed.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 474 that the remaining amount detection sensor 258 is not operating and the predetermined number of PS plates 12 are accommodated in the tray 100 (negative determination in step 480). ), It is determined that at least the plate detection sensor 256 is abnormal, and step 48
Then, the process of taking out the PS plate 12 is stopped.

In step 486, the suction cup frame 226 is moved from a predetermined position (step 45).
The time from 0) is measured to determine whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. When the suction cup frame 226 starts to move, normally, the plate detection sensor 256 or the remaining amount detection sensor 2
The vacuum switch 252 is operated after the operation of the plate detection sensor 256 and the operation of the plate detection sensor 256. However, for example, when none of the sensors operate even after the time until the suction cups 236 and 240 reach the bottom plate 104 of the tray 100, it is determined that the device is abnormal, the process proceeds to step 488, and the transfer robot 24 is operated. Stop. In this case, there is an abnormality in the plate detection sensor 256, the remaining amount detection sensor 258, and the vacuum switch 252, or an abnormality in the mechanism that moves the suction cup frame 226, and such an operation is detected, and the operation of the transfer robot 24 is stopped. This can prevent damage to the suction frame 226, the tray 100, and the PS plate supplier 14 provided with the tray 100.

As described above, the PS by the transfer robot 24 is
By detecting an abnormality of each sensor or device during the work of taking out the plate 12, damage to the device or damage to the PS plate 12 can be prevented, and the work of taking out the PS plate 12 can be performed accurately. Thus, the PS plate 12 taken out can be smoothly processed. For example, when the PS plate 12 is held in a fixed state and not taken out, the PS plate 12
When the punch table 16 is delivered, it becomes impossible to accurately position it on the punch surface plate 260, the operation of the punch table 16 is stopped, and the punch holes 276 are not formed at the correct positions. Could not be mounted on the automatic plate former 28, or the PS plate 12 could not be loaded at the correct position on the automatic plate former 28, and the position of the image exposed on the PS plate 12 was displaced. It is possible to prevent a problem such as the occurrence of the problem.

In this embodiment, the photoelectric type plate detection sensor 256 and the remaining amount detection sensor 258 are used. However, the detection is not limited to the photoelectric type and other detection means such as mechanical contact may be used. Is possible. For example, when the protruding drive shaft of the air cylinder comes into contact with the PS plate 12 or the bottom plate 304,
For example, a device that detects contraction movement of the drive shaft can be applied.

As shown in FIG. 16, the transfer robot 2
When the PS plate 12 of a desired size is taken out from the tray 100 of the PS plate supplier 14 by step 4, step 410
Then, the transfer robot 24 is moved to a predetermined position facing the punch table 16. At this time, sucker frame 2
26 is rotated in a substantially horizontal state to reverse the reference side of the PS plate 12. In the next step 412, the sucker frame 2
Is the PS plate 12 adsorbed and held at 26 placed on the punch surface plate 260 of the punch table 16 and delivered, and is there the PS plate 12 on the exposure table 272 of the automatic engraving machine 28 that requested the PS plate 12? Whether or not it is determined in step 413. In this step, if there is no PS plate 12 on the exposure table 272 of the automatic plate-making machine 28 and the plate-making machine 28 is waiting for the PS plate 12 to be supplied, the process proceeds to step 424. ,
Immediately after the punching of the PS plate 12 with the punch table 16 is completed, the PS plate 12 is taken out.

When it is confirmed in this step that the breeder 28 is exposing the PS plate 12,
The process proceeds to step 414, moves to the automatic plate former 28, and stands by until the exposure operation is completed in the automatic plate former 28.

As described above, by arranging the PS plate supplier 14 accommodating the PS plate 12 and the punch table 16 for the next process adjacently, the PS plate is mainly rotated only by the rotation of the arm 218 of the transfer robot 24. Since the 12 can be transferred to the punch table 16, the transfer time can be extremely shortened.

On the other hand, in the punch table 16, the punch surface plate 26
When the PS plate 12 is placed on the 0, the PS plate 12 is positioned at a predetermined position corresponding to the puncher 262 by a pusher (not shown), and then the PS plate 12 is set at a position preset according to the size. A punch hole 276 for positioning the automatic plate-making machine 28 is formed.

In step 416, the PS in the automatic plate making machine 28
When the completion of the exposure operation of the plate 12 is confirmed by the plate take-out request from the automatic plate-making machine 28, step 418
And the suction cup frame 226 is opposed to the PS plate 12 mounted on the exposure table 272 of the automatic plate former 28, and then the solenoid valves 250A and 250B (or 250A to 250A).
C) is opened, and negative pressure is supplied to the suction cups 236, 240 corresponding to the size, and the PS plate 12 is approached and adsorbed and taken out.

In step 420, the transfer robot 24 that holds the PS plate 12 by suction is moved to the belt conveyor 20, and the PS plate 12 is delivered to the belt conveyor 20 (step 422). At this time, the PS plate 12 taken out from the automatic platemaking machine 28 in a tilted state with the reference side directed substantially upward is rotated while being kept in a horizontal state, and the reference side is held toward the rail 22 in a horizontal state, It moves above the belt conveyor 20. After that, the PS plate 12 is moved to a predetermined position on the belt conveyor 20, and the PS plate 1
Release the adsorption of 2 and deliver it to the belt conveyor 20.

When the PS plate 12 is delivered to the belt conveyor 20, the suction plate frame 226 is moved above the punch table 16 to take out the PS plate 12 placed on the punch surface plate 260 of the punch table 16 (step 424). At this time, on the punch table 16, the punching holes 276 are formed at predetermined positions on the PS plate 12 before the PS plate 12 is taken out from the automatic plate-making machine 28 by the transfer robot 24 and transferred to the belt conveyor 20. Has finished.

In step 426, a new PS plate 12 having punch holes 276 is suction-held and moved (step 426), and the PS plate 12 is exposed to the exposure table 2 of the automatic plate former 28.
It is opposed to 72 in a predetermined inclination state. At this time, the reference side of the PS plate 12 on which the punch holes 276 are formed faces the pin 274 that is located above and protrudes from the exposure table 272. From this state, in step 428, the PS plate 12 is mounted on the exposure table 272 of the automatic plate-making machine 28. At this time, since the punch table 16 and the belt conveyor 20 are adjacent to each other, after the PS plate 12 taken out from the automatic plate former 28 is transferred to the belt conveyor 20, the PS plate 12 is sucked and held from the punch table 16 in a short time. You can take it out.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart for loading the PS plate 12 onto the exposure table 272. In the first step 500 of this flowchart, the suction plate frame 226 holding the PS plate 12 facing the predetermined position of the exposure table 272 is moved toward the exposure table 272 so that the PS plate 12 approaches the predetermined position. When the tip portion of the pin 274 of the exposure table 272 reaches the position by entering the punch hole 276 formed in the PS plate 12 (step 502), the movement of the suction cup frame 226 is stopped (step 504, see FIG. 14A). ).

Next, at step 506, the suction cups 236, 240A holding the vicinity of the punch holes on the upper part of the PS plate 12 are held.
The negative pressure supply to (and the suction cup 240C) is stopped, and the holding of the PS plate 12 is released. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed (step 508), the suction-held portion of the PS plate 12 hangs down by its own weight, and the pin 274 is surely inserted into the punch hole 276 of the PS plate 12 (see FIG. 14B). , The negative pressure supply to the suction cup 240B that holds the PS plate 12 by suction is released (step 510).

As a result, the PS plate 12 held by the suction cup frame 226 falls onto the exposure table 272, and the pin 274 surely enters the punch hole 276, so that the PS plate 1
2 is held by a pin 274 on the exposure table 272 (FIG. 14).
(See C). At this time, since no unnecessary force is applied to the PS plate 12 to push the pin 274 into the punch hole 276,
When the pin 274 enters the punch hole 276, the PS plate 12 is not cut into the punch hole 276 without applying an excessive force to the punch hole 276 to distort the punch hole 276 or to bend the peripheral edge portion of the punch hole 276. The pin 274 enables accurate positioning on the exposure table 272.

When it is confirmed that a predetermined time has elapsed until the PS plate 12 from which the suction holding is released falls on the exposure table 272 and becomes stable (step 512), step 51
4, the suction cup frame 226 is gently moved to approach the exposure table 272, and the suction cups 236 and 240 are moved to positions close to the exposure table 272 (see FIG. 14D,
(Confirmed in step 516), the suction cup frame 226 is retracted from the exposure table 272, and the mounting of the PS plate 12 on the exposure table 272 is completed (step 518).

By bringing the suction cup frame 226 close to the exposure table 272, the suction cup 23 separated from the exposure table 272.
6 and 240 are brought closer to the exposure table 272, and when the PS plate 12 on the exposure table 272 is bent or the like and there is a part that is not in close contact with the exposure table 272, the part that is bulged by this bending is sucked by the suction cup 236. , 240, the whole area of the PS plate 12 can be brought into close contact with the exposure table 272. The predetermined time in steps 508 and 512 may be a short time of about several seconds, and when the surface of the PS plate 12 is held down by the suction cups 236 and 240, the suction cups 236 and 240 are lightly contacted with the exposure table 272. You can use a light one.

In the automatic plate making machine 28, the P
When the loading of the S plate 12 is completed, PS
The plate 12 is held in close contact with it, and the light source unit 284 is moved onto the exposure table 272 together with the retracted frame pair 286 to start the exposure on the PS plate 12.

As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 16, when the loading of the PS plate 12 into the automatic plate-making machine 28 is completed, the transfer robot 24 is moved to the rail 2 at step 430.
It is moved to the standby position at one end of No. 2 and waits until a new PS plate 12 request signal comes from the automatic platemaker 28. The operation of the automatic plate feeding / discharging device 26 ends when the power switch is turned off (step 432).

On the other hand, the belt conveyor 20 which receives the PS plate 12 which has been exposed from the transfer robot 24 sends the PS plate 12 to the automatic developing machine 18. An example of the operation of the belt conveyor 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First Step 52 of this Flowchart
At 0, it is confirmed whether the transfer robot 24 has taken out the PS plate 12 from the automatic plate-making machine 28 and transferred it to the belt conveyor 20. That is, when the vacuum switches 252A, 252B, or 252C detect that the suction cups 236, 240 are released, the motor 316 is rotated at a high speed by a signal from the control unit 32 to drive the conveyor belt 314 at a high speed. Start (step 522). The driving of the motor 316 may be started after the PS plate 12 is transferred from the transfer robot 24 to the belt conveyor 20. After the PS plate 12 is transferred to the belt conveyor 20, the motor 316 rotates to rotate the conveyor belt 31.
4 is driven at high speed, and the delivered PS plate 12 is conveyed to the automatic developing machine 18 at high speed.

At step 524, the leading edge of the PS plate 12 moving toward the automatic developing machine 18 by the conveyor belt 314 is detected by the plate detection sensor 334. When the plate detection sensor 334 detects the leading end of the conveyed PS plate 12, the time after passing is measured by a timer (not shown) in step 526, and the conveyed front end of the PS plate 12 is inserted into the automatic developing machine 18. Motor 3 at the timing
16 is switched to the low speed rotation (step 528), and the conveyance speed of the PS plate 12 by the conveyance belt 314 is made to coincide with the conveyance speed of the PS plate 12 by the automatic developing machine 18,
Continue to be transported.

As a result, it is possible to eliminate a substantial difference in the transfer speed of the PS plate 12 between the belt conveyor 20 and the automatic developing machine 18, and to quickly and automatically transfer the PS plate 12 delivered from the transfer robot 24. It can be sent to the developing machine 18.

In the next step 530, the plate detection sensor 3
34 is a PS plate 12 conveyed toward the automatic processor 18.
Checking the passage of the rear end. When it is confirmed by the plate detection sensor 334 that the rear end of the PS plate 12 has passed, step 5
At 32, the drive of the motor 316 is stopped. When it is confirmed in step 534 that the automatic plate feeding / discharging device 26 has stopped operating, the operation ends.

When the PS plate 12 thus imagewise exposed is rapidly and smoothly sent to the automatic developing machine 18 by the belt conveyor 20, the automatic developing machine 18
The PS plate 12 is developed and desensitized, and then discharged to the stacker 30.

The automatic plate-making system 10 applied to this embodiment and the automatic plate feeding / discharging device 26 constituting a part of this automatic plate-making system do not limit the structure of the present invention. In particular, punch stand 16, automatic processor 18, automatic platemaker 2
For 8 etc., a general device can be applied, and the transfer robot 24 also accurately sucks and holds the PS plate 12,
It is sufficient that the PS plate 12 can be accurately conveyed and delivered to a preset position in each step.

For example, as an automatic plate making system, the transfer robot 24 is not moved on the rail 22 but is fixed at a predetermined position, and the PS plate supplier 14 and the punch table 16 are centered around the transfer robot 24. The belt conveyor 20 and a predetermined number of automatic plate-making machines 28 may be arranged. By reducing the movement amount of the transfer robot 24, the installation space of the automatic plate feeding / discharging device 26 and the automatic plate-making system 10 can be narrowed. It is possible to construct a compact device.

[0129]

As described above, in the automatic plate feeding / discharging device of the present invention, the space for accommodating the unexposed printing plate can be narrowed, so that it is extremely easy to secure the installation space. Further, since the installation space is small, the movement amount of the transfer robot can be small, and the printing plate can be supplied to the plate-making machine in a short time, and the control of the apparatus is extremely easy.

In addition to this, it has an excellent effect that a small number of plate making machines can be efficiently operated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic platemaking system applied to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a PS plate supplier which is a printing plate container.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a tray.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part showing a long hole and a pin of the tray.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of essential parts showing attachment of a tray to a PS plate supplier.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

7A is a sectional view of a main part taken along line 7A-7A of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7B is a sectional view of a main part taken along line 7B-7B of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view showing a transfer robot.

9 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8, showing the mounting of the transfer robot on a rail.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a sucker frame attached to an arm of a transfer robot.

FIG. 11 is a schematic piping system diagram showing the connection of negative pressure lines to the suction cups of the suction cup frame.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts of a suction frame showing a plate detection sensor and a remaining amount detection sensor.

FIG. 13 is a schematic front view showing an example of a breeding machine applied to this embodiment.

14 (A) to (D) respectively show P to the exposure table.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an essential part of an automatic plate-making machine showing the mounting of the S plate,
(A) is a state in which the PS plate is held by the suction cup frame and faces the exposure table, (B) is a state in which the reference side of the PS plate is released from the suction hold, and (C) is a state in which the PS plate is held by the suction cup frame The state (D) shows the state in which the PS plate is pressed by the suction cup in order to bring the PS plate into close contact with the exposure table.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a main part showing a configuration of a belt conveyor that constitutes a discharging unit.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the automatic plate feeding / discharging device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation of taking out a PS plate from a tray by a suction frame.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation of mounting a PS plate on an automatic plate-making machine using a suction frame.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the belt conveyor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Automatic Plate Making System 12 PS Plate (Printing Plate) 14 PS Plate Supplier 16 Punch Stand 18 Automatic Developing Machine 20 Belt Conveyor 24 Transfer Robot 26 Automatic Plate Feeding and Discharging Device 28 Automatic Plate Making Machine 32 Control Unit 100 Tray

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An automatic plate feeding / discharging device for supplying an unexposed printing plate to a plate making machine and taking out an exposed printing plate from the plate making machine, wherein a plurality of the unexposed printing plates are accommodated. Each of the trays is individually housed so as to be drawn out, a punch base for punching holes at predetermined positions of the unexposed printing plate, and the exposed plate discharged from the plate-making machine. A transfer means for transferring the printing plate to the next step; a predetermined printing plate is adsorbed and taken out from the tray by the movement of the arm and conveyed to the punch table; and the punched printing plate from the punch table is transferred to the plate. Transporting means for adsorbing and holding the exposed printing plate from the plate-making machine to the transfer means, and supplying the same to the transfer machine, input means provided in the plate-making machine, and input to the input means Withdrawing the tray based on the breeding information An automatic plate feeding / discharging device, comprising: a control unit that controls a bending operation and an operation of the conveying unit. 2. An automatic plate feeding / discharging device for supplying an unexposed printing plate to a plate making machine and taking out an exposed printing plate from the plate making machine, wherein a plurality of the unexposed printing plates are accommodated. Each of the trays is individually housed so as to be drawn out, a punch base for punching holes at predetermined positions of the unexposed printing plate, and the exposed plate discharged from the plate-making machine. A transfer means for transferring the printing plate to the next step; a predetermined printing plate is adsorbed and taken out from the tray by the movement of the arm and conveyed to the punch table; and the punched printing plate from the punch table is transferred to the plate. Transporting means for adsorbing and holding the exposed printing plate from the plate-making machine to the transfer means, and supplying the same to the transfer machine, input means provided in the plate-making machine, and input to the input means Withdrawing the tray based on the breeding information First for controlling the bending operation and the operation of the conveying means
The control means, the means for detecting the exposed printing plate provided in the transfer means, and the second control means for controlling the transfer speed of the exposed printing plate based on the detection signal of the detection means. An automatic plate feeding / discharging device having. 3. The operation of the punch table is controlled by the control means.
Automatic plate feeding / discharging device. 4. The unexposed printing plate is continuously supplied from the punch table to the plate making machine after the conveying means discharges the exposed printing plate from the plate making machine. The automatic plate feeding / discharging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The automatic plate feeding / discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the plate making machine is a plurality of units.