JPS6323161A - Continuous washing device for photosensitive resin plate - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To continuously and automatically perform washing works on photosensitive resin plates so as to improve the production efficiency of the plates, by providing a rotary brush for washing contacting with the plates while it is rotated and a cleaning means for cleaning the washed plates. CONSTITUTION:When a plate 1 with a steel-made base board is supplied from a plate inlet 19, the plate 1 is fetched by a nip roll 10 and attracted and fixed onto a carrying belt 6 by the magnetic action of the belt 6. While the plate 1 is carried by the belt 6, washing of the plate 1 is carried out in a rotary brush section. The washing speed is changed depending upon the concentration of the photosensitive resin dissolved into the washing liquid, but the speed is corrected by adjusting the speed of the belt 6 so that the optimum relief can always be obtained. It is desirable to detect the concentration of the resin in the liquid and automatically adjust the speed of the carrying belt 6 in accordance with the concentration, but the installation of equipment is expensive. Therefore, it is convenient to carry out the speed adjustment in such a way that the concentration fluctuation id divided into steps and the speed of the belt 6 is manually adjusted at every concentration step.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for continuously washing out a photosensitive resin plate whose exposed substrate is made of a magnetic material.

Photosensitive resin plates used as plate materials for letterpress printing are used for printing through a process called plate making, which is a common method.

That is, (1) a negative film is closely attached to a photosensitive resin plate and irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Then, the portion irradiated with ultraviolet light undergoes photopolymerization and a latent image is formed. Portions of this latent image are no longer soluble in common solvents. (2)
Next, when this photosensitive resin plate is treated with a suitable solvent, the resin in the areas that were not irradiated with ultraviolet rays will be dissolved and washed out, but the areas that have been irradiated with ultraviolet rays will not dissolve in the solvent and will remain as they are, creating a relief. form.

In the above-mentioned plate making, the step (1) is usually called exposure and the step (2) is called washing out.

The present invention relates to the above-mentioned cleaning step of plate making.

A conventional photosensitive resin plate washing device is as shown in FIG. 1, in which a lid 4 is opened, a photosensitive resin plate 1 is mounted on a plate mount 3 in an appropriate manner, and then the lid is closed. The surface of the exposed photosensitive resin plate is brushed with a rotating brush 2 located below the photosensitive resin plate and immersed in a solvent for a predetermined period of time (usually 3 to 10 minutes) to complete washing.

In such a washing device, when the number of washing plates is increased, the concentration of the photosensitive resin dissolved in the solvent in the device increases. Therefore, if the printing plate is left to dry after washing, a thin film of resin dissolved in the solvent will adhere to the relief surface, and if used as is for printing, uneven printing and other problems will occur. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, it is necessary to wash the plate surface with fresh solvent 5 after washing is completed. Such a conventional washing device is (1
) Installation and removal of the photosensitive resin plate requires manpower, resulting in poor workability.

(2) When opening the lid when installing or removing a photosensitive resin plate, the surface of the cleaning solvent inside the device is exposed each time, so when using an organic solvent-based cleaning solution, the effect of solvent vapor on the operator may be This is not only unfavorable in terms of occupational safety and health, but also a problem in terms of disaster prevention.

(3) It is necessary to manually clean the surface of the plate after the plate making is completed, and the work is complicated.

(4) Since it is a batch type, work efficiency per unit time is poor.

(5) Since the liquid near the center of the brush is replaced less than at the ends of the brush, uneven washing occurs due to uneven resin concentration in the liquid. (Note: In general, as the resin concentration in the washout solution increases, the washout speed decreases.)

The present inventors have made extensive studies to overcome these drawbacks, and as a result, have arrived at the present invention.

That is, the present invention provides a continuous washing device for an exposed photosensitive resin plate whose substrate is made of a magnetic material, which device includes a conveyor belt having a magnetic force for conveying the photosensitive resin plate, and a conveyor belt having a magnetic force for conveying the photosensitive resin plate; It has a built-in means for supplying a washing liquid to wash out the resin in the unexposed areas of the plate, and has a rotating shaft in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the photosensitive resin plate which is attracted and fixed on the conveyor belt by the magnetic force of the conveyor belt. A continuous washing device for a photosensitive resin plate, characterized in that it is equipped with a rotating brush for washing that rotates along and comes into contact with the surface of the plate, and a cleaning means for washing the plate surface after washing is completed. be.

The present invention will be explained below based on the drawings.

FIG. 3 is an example of the apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 1
is a photosensitive resin plate whose exposed substrate is made of a magnetic material (hereinafter referred to as
It is simply referred to as "exposed photosensitive resin plate." ), showing the state inserted from the printing plate entrance 19. Reference numeral 6 denotes a magnetic conveyor belt (hereinafter simply referred to as "conveyor belt") for conveying the exposed photosensitive resin plate 1, and is driven by a motor. This conveyor belt 6 is an endless rubber magnetic seat belt or
Although it is preferable to use a magnetic metal seat belt, a magnet may be provided below the belt along the bells 1 to 1.

2 is a rotating brush for cleaning (hereinafter referred to as "rotating brush" on the instep)
It is abbreviated as. ), and a conduit 7 for supplying a washing liquid to the central part for washing out the photosensitive resin in the unexposed part.
is included. Reference numeral 8 denotes a crank arm for imparting rotational motion to the rotating brush 2, which has a rotation axis perpendicular to the plate surface, and rotates the rotating brush 2 along the surface of the plate 1 to bring it into contact with the plate 1. . The rotation direction of the rotating brush 2 can be selected as appropriate. The rotational speed of the rotating brush 2 affects the cleaning speed, and generally the faster the rotational speed, the faster the cleaning speed, but if the rotational speed is too fast,
30 to 300, as it will have a negative effect on the surface of the plate being washed out.
Preferably, the rotational speed is in the range of rotations per minute. In Fig. 3, the rotating brushes 2 are arranged in two rows, but depending on the required washing time and other equipment operating conditions, the rotating brushes 2
It goes without saying that the number of columns can be selected as appropriate.

The rotating brush 2 may be made of any material as long as it is not affected by the washing liquid. Further, there is no particular limitation on the bristles of the rotating brush 2, but the bristles are usually about 3 to 20 mm.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the action of the rotating brush 2 applied to the present invention on the plate 1 conveyed by the conveyor belt 6. That is, as is clear from FIG. 7, the plate 1 conveyed by the conveyor belt 6 in the direction of the arrow is moved to the A1 area, tl by the rotary brush 2 which makes plane contact while rotating along the surface of the plate 1. The area A2 receives a brushing action to the left, and the area A2 receives a brushing action to the right, which is opposite to the area A1. Therefore, since the rotating brush 32 of the present invention makes surface contact with the plate 1 and makes a rotating movement, it is possible to process thick relief plates such as letterpress plates at high speed, and the same rotating brush can brush the plate 1 in two directions while it is in progress. As a result, the plate surface is subjected to an even and uniform cleaning action.

Therefore, there is no need to reverse the rotating brush.

The commonly thought method of reciprocating a rotating brush has the problem that uneven development is likely to occur because the brush is temporarily stopped at the folded portion.

As a washing method, there is a method in which a washing liquid is sprayed onto the plate surface from a nozzle at high speed, but this method has the following drawbacks.

(1) Washing out time becomes longer.

(2) It is difficult to manage the nozzle, and uneven washing tends to occur.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a cleaning nozzle as a cleaning means for cleaning the plate surface after washing is completed. The plate surface is cleaned by fresh solvent supplied from the cleaning nozzle. The rotating brush 2 of the present invention, which is in planar contact with the plate 1 and has a built-in cleaning nozzle 9 for supplying a washing liquid for washing out the unexposed portions of the photosensitive resin plate and rotates along the plate surface, overcomes these drawbacks. can. That is, since the cleaning nozzle 9 is built into the rotating brush 2, the liquid can be supplied only to the area being developed while being smoothed by the brush, and since the brush area is large, the liquid can stay for a sufficient amount of time. This allows effective development with a small amount of solution. In this case, it is preferable to supply fresh washing liquid from the center of the rotating brush.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a squeezing roll, which is used to squeeze out cleaning liquid deposited on the plate surface. This squeezing roll 20 is preferably made of a soft material. 11 is a delivery roll. Further, 12 is a washing liquid storage tank, 14 is a washing liquid storage tank, 13 is a washing liquid circulation pump, and 15 is a washing liquid circulation pump.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a local exhaust duct provided at the entrance/exit of the device, and is exhausted by an exhaust fan 17 .

This local exhaust device is used to prevent organic solvent vapor from scattering from inside the main body to the outside when a cloth-to-cloth solvent is used for the washing liquid.

Therefore, this device does not need to be provided when using a particularly benign cleaning solution, such as an aqueous cleaning solution.

Reference numeral 18 is a nozzle for cleaning the back side of the conveyor belt 6, and is used to prevent the photosensitive resin component adhering to the back side of the conveyor belt 6 from interfering with the conveyance of the conveyor belt 6 due to long-term operation. It is something. This nozzle 18 can be integrated with the plate surface cleaning nozzle 9 described above.

Next, a method for fixing the photosensitive resin plate 1 to the conveyor belt 6 will be described.

(1> When the conveyor belt 6 is a rubber magnetic seat belt: Figure 4 shows a case where the plate 1 is suctioned and fixed on the conveyor belt 6 when the substrate of the photosensitive resin plate 1 is made of iron plate or other magnetic metal. Figure (a) is a plan view, Figure (a) is a top view;
b) is a side view.

1 is a photosensitive resin plate with a magnetic metal as a substrate; 22
2 is a magnet sheet, and 23 is an iron plate. The magnet sheet 22 and the iron plate 23 are integrated to form the conveyor belt 6. When the plate 1 is placed on the conveyor belt 6, it is attracted and fixed by the magnetic force of the magnet sheet 22.

(2) When the conveyor belt 6 is a magnetic metal seat belt: FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the conveyor belt 1, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a side view. It is a diagram.

In this case, use a plate fixing jig as shown in the figure to fix plate 1.
may be fixed onto the conveyor belt 6 by magnetic force. In the figure, 1 is a photosensitive resin plate, 21 is a presser clamp, 22 is a magnet sheet, and 23 is an iron plate. The upper and lower magnetic sheets 22 and iron plate 23 are integrated, and the conveyor belt 6
It consists of

As described above, in the present invention, the photosensitive resin plate 1 whose substrate is made of a magnetic material is attracted and fixed onto the conveyor belt 6 having a magnetic force by the magnetic force of the magnet sheet 22, and the entire back surface of the plate 1 is covered with the conveyor belt 6. Because it is placed on top, the magnetic attraction is stronger, and the plate 1 does not meander even if the direction of rubbing changes, and the plate 1 does not bend or bend when brushing. Since there is no nipping, the image area will not be distorted.

Note that the important thing about the shape of the plate holding clamp 21 is the fourth
As shown in FIG. 5, the angle θ of the arm portion of the clamp 21 with respect to the surface of the magnet sheet 22 is 90 degrees. If θ is less than 91, the brushing force applied in the horizontal direction of the plate exerts a wedge effect on the clamp 21, and the holding force of the clamp 21 is significantly reduced, making it unusable. Further, the thickness of the clamp 21 is preferably about 0.2 to 0.5 mm from the viewpoint of preventing it from getting caught on the rotating brush 2.

In FIG. 3, numeral 10 denotes a nip roll, which has the function of taking up the plate 1 fed into the apparatus, as well as bringing the plate 1 into close contact with the conveyor belt 6, and effectively exerting magnetic attraction force.

According to the study by the inventors, the plate 1 is replaced by the magnetic sheet 2.
It was confirmed that the difference between the magnetic attraction force when placed on the upper surface of 2 under its own weight and the magnetic attraction force when it is pressed and attached with nip rolls 10 is about twice as large in the latter case as in the former.

Using the apparatus of the present invention, washing is carried out as follows.

When a steel substrate plate 1 is supplied from the plate inlet 19, it is picked up by the nip roll 10, and further fixed on the conveyor belt 6 by the magnetic force of the conveyor belt 6, and then conveyed and washed out by the rotating brush section. It is done.

The washing speed changes as shown in Fig. 6 depending on the concentration of the photosensitive resin dissolved in the washing liquid, but this can be corrected by adjusting the feeding speed of the conveyor belt 6 to always maintain the optimum washing speed. Drive to get relief.

Preferably, the speed of the conveyor belt 6 should be adjusted by detecting the concentration in the washing liquid and changing it automatically according to the detected value. A convenient method is to divide the density change into steps and manually adjust the speed of the conveyor belt 6 for each density step.

Furthermore, as another method, a concentration control method in which the resin concentration in the washing liquid is kept constant is naturally considered to be a preferable method. The optimum adjustment method may be selected depending on the amount of plate making per day and other factors.

Note that it is convenient to detect the resin concentration in the washing liquid using, for example, a viscometer.

After washing, the plate 1 is transported to a washing zone and is cleaned by being sprayed with fresh cleaning liquid. After washing is finished, the liquid is drained by a squeezing roll 20, and the washing is completed.

Further, although the use of the present invention is not limited by the type of cleaning liquid or the resin that is the base material of the photosensitive resin plate, it is effective for cleaning nylon resin plates using hydrous ethyl alcohol. be.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the apparatus of the present invention may be provided with means for drying the washed plate and means for post-exposure, if necessary.

As mentioned above, the effects of the cleaning device of the present invention can be summarized as follows.

By simply supplying exposed photosensitive resin plates to the equipment, the cleaning work of the photosensitive resin plates can be carried out continuously and automatically, improving production efficiency and ensuring safety in terms of occupational health and safety and disaster prevention. be.

Since the rotating brush rotates in surface contact with the plate, it is possible to process thick relief plates such as letterpress plates at high speed, and with the same rotating brush, the plate receives brushing action from two directions while it is moving. A uniform cleaning action is applied to the plate surface. Therefore, there is no need to reverse the rotating brush.

Since the cleaning nozzle is built into the rotating brush, the solution can be supplied only to the area being developed while being smoothed by the rotating brush, and the brush area is large, allowing sufficient residence time for the cleaning process. Effective development can be done with the solution in the note.

In addition, since the entire back side of the exposed photosensitive resin plate, whose substrate is made of a magnetic material, was fixed on the conveyor belt by magnetic force and then conveyed, the plate was more firmly fixed on the conveyor belt, and the plate was transported. The plate does not meander even when the rubbing direction changes, the plate does not curve or bend when brushed, and the plate surface is not nipped by strong pressure, so the image area does not become distorted.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are side views of a conventional washing machine, FIG. 3 is a side view of the washing device of the present invention, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are a top view and a side view of a conveyor belt, and FIGS. Figure 6 is a graph showing the relationship between resin concentration and washout rate. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the action of the rotating brush applied to the present invention on the plate conveyed by the conveyor belt. 1: Photosensitive resin plate 2: Rotating brush 6: Conveyor belt 9: Cleaning nozzle 20: Squeezing roll

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A continuous washing device for exposed photosensitive resin plates, the substrate of which is made of a magnetic material. It has a built-in means for supplying a washing liquid for washing out the resin in unexposed areas, and has a rotating shaft in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the photosensitive resin plate which is attracted and fixed on the conveyor belt by the magnetic force of the conveyor belt. A continuous washing device for a photosensitive resin plate, comprising: a rotating brush for washing that rotates along and comes into contact with the surface of the plate; and a cleaning means for washing the plate surface after washing is completed.