JP2005242152A - Image forming apparatus for planographic printing plate - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for a planographic printing plate in which a planographic printing plate after exposure can be easily developed in good conditions and plate inspection property on the plate can be improved. <P>SOLUTION: A planographic printing plate 12 having an image recording layer containing a photosensitive material which is hardened by irradiation with light on a supporting body is exposed to form a latent image and developed as follows. First, water or a liquid is deposited by a liquid supply means 110, and an elastic roller 202 is allowed to roll on the surface of the image recording layer while the roller is elastically deformed by elastically pressurizing so as to impregnate and swell the layer with the liquid and to peel off an unexposed portion of the image recording layer which is not hardened by exposure. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for a lithographic printing plate, in which a lithographic printing plate that has been subjected to a laser exposure process is subjected to a development process for plate making.

  Generally, a photosensitive lithographic printing plate (so-called PS plate) is used for offset printing. In the field of lithographic printing, a lithographic printing plate used for a CTP (Computer to Plate) system for directly making a printing plate by performing laser exposure processing based on digital data from a computer or the like has been proposed.

  Conventionally, in such a CTP system, an on-press development system has been proposed in which a lithographic printing plate is mounted after being exposed to a printing press and printed without being developed.

  In this on-press development system, an aluminum plate having a hydrophilic surface that is anodized and roughened is used as a support, and can be combined on the hydrophilic surface under the influence of heat. Further, an image forming layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hydrophilic binder is formed, and a compound that converts light into heat is included in this image forming layer or a layer adjacent thereto. Use the configured lithographic printing plate.

  In this on-press development system, an exposure process for a lithographic printing plate is performed using, for example, infrared (IR) rays or laser light in the wavelength range of the near infrared region (light emitted from an LED or laser diode).

  In the exposure process for this lithographic printing plate, the laser light irradiated onto the image forming layer corresponding to the required image is converted into heat, and the hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles contained in the image forming layer are heated above the coagulation temperature. The mixture is heated and solidified to form a hydrophobic agglomerate in the hydrophilic layer, which is rendered insoluble in ordinary water or an aqueous liquid.

  In this on-press development system, the lithographic printing plate thus exposed is placed on, for example, a printing cylinder of the printing press, and then the printing press is started to set the lithographic printing plate on the image forming layer of the lithographic printing plate. An image forming layer of a lithographic printing plate is obtained by rolling a dampening agent roller that supplies an aqueous fountain solution onto the image forming layer and then rolling an ink roller on the image forming layer of the lithographic printing plate to perform a printing operation. Development is performed by removing the other hydrophilic layer portion by dissolving in ordinary water or an aqueous liquid while leaving the coagulated hydrophobic agglomerates in (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the conventional on-press development system as described above, when a metal plate such as aluminum is used as a support for a lithographic printing plate and further subjected to laser exposure treatment, the layer thickness direction in the image forming layer of the lithographic printing plate In the vicinity of the upper surface, the laser beam can be sufficiently heated above the solidification temperature by a laser beam irradiated at a high output within a range that does not cause ablation (a phenomenon in which the irradiated portion is burned off with strong energy).

  However, in the vicinity of the bottom surface in the thickness direction of the image forming layer, the thermal energy converted from the irradiated laser light diffuses rapidly to the support side with high thermal conductivity and escapes, so that the maximum output does not cause ablation. Even when irradiated with laser light, the temperature near the interface between the support and the image forming layer (heated recording layer) is not sufficiently raised to the solidification temperature, so the image forming layer portion (image portion) irradiated with the laser light Is not sufficiently cured, and the strength of the image portion is insufficient. For this reason, such a lithographic printing plate has a problem in that when printing is performed, an image portion is likely to be lost as the number of printed sheets increases, resulting in poor printing durability.

Further, in this on-press development system, after the lithographic printing plate is exposed by an exposure device (setter), whether or not information (image information) is accurately recorded by the exposure process on the lithographic printing plate surface is confirmed. Therefore, there is a problem that the plate inspection property is poor.
Japanese Patent No. 2938397

  In the present invention, when a lithographic printing plate is exposed to light, it can be easily and satisfactorily developed to improve plate inspection on the plate surface, and in addition, post-processing for improving printing durability can be configured and resistant. It is an object of the present invention to newly provide an image forming apparatus for a lithographic printing plate that can improve printing performance.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for a lithographic printing plate, wherein the lithographic printing plate having an image recording layer containing a photosensitive material that is cured by irradiation with light on a support is exposed to a latent image. In an image forming apparatus that performs a development process to peel off an image recording layer that has not been cured in an unexposed area after the image is formed, water or water is formed on the image recording layer on which a latent image has been formed by the exposure process of the planographic printing plate. It has a liquid supply means for adhering a liquid, and an elastic roller that rolls in contact with the surface of the image recording layer while being elastically deformed in a state where the pressure is elastically applied.

  By configuring as described above, the liquid is supplied to the image recording layer of the planographic printing plate by the liquid supply means, and the liquid is infiltrated and swollen into the image recording layer that is not cured in the unexposed portion. By allowing the elastic roller to elastically deform with respect to the recording layer while being elastically deformed, the liquid penetrates only into the unexposed portion of the image recording layer, and the unexposed image recording layer, A boundary layer that is easy to peel off is formed by infiltrating and swelling the liquid to the surface of the support. In addition, the elastic roller is configured to peel off the image recording layer in an unexposed portion or easily by elastically deforming and rubbing the image recording layer when the elastic roller is pressed against the surface of the image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate. Make it peeled. Thereby, the development processing of the planographic printing plate can be easily performed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the lithographic printing plate image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the liquid supply means are respectively disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the elastic roller. And

  By configuring as described above, in addition to the operation and effect of the invention according to claim 1, in the lithographic printing plate image forming apparatus, the lithographic printing plate passes through the elastic roller of the developing unit on the conveyance path. Thus, development processing can be performed while reciprocating. That is, in the forward path for developing the lithographic printing plate, the liquid is deposited on the image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate by one liquid supply means, and then developed by rolling the elastic roller under pressure. In the return path of the lithographic printing plate for transporting the lithographic printing plate in the reverse direction, the liquid is attached to the lithographic printing plate on the image recording layer by the other liquid supply means. After that, the development process is performed by repeating the operation of rolling the elastic body roller in a state where pressure is applied and performing the development process one or more times. Thereby, it is possible to perform the development processing as necessary and sufficiently with a simple configuration using a small number of elastic rollers.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for a lithographic printing plate, wherein the lithographic printing plate on which an image recording layer containing a photosensitive material that is cured by irradiation with light is formed on a support is exposed to a latent image. In an image forming apparatus that performs development processing for peeling off an image recording layer that has not been cured in an unexposed portion after an image has been formed, a liquid tank that stores a liquid heated to a predetermined temperature, and an image recording layer that is exposed by exposure processing. The lithographic printing plate on which the latent image is formed is in contact with the surface of the image recording layer while being elastically deformed while being elastically deformed while passing through the liquid stored in the liquid tank. And an elastic roller.

  By configuring as described above, the liquid is infiltrated only into the unexposed part of the image recording layer and swollen by immersing the lithographic printing plate in the liquid heated to a predetermined temperature stored in the liquid tank. Further, the elastic roller is brought into rolling contact with the swollen unexposed portion of the image recording layer while being elastically deformed in an elastically applied state. That is, the image recording layer in the unexposed portion is placed in a state where the liquid is supplied to the maximum, and the liquid is transferred to the boundary layer with the support over the entire unexposed portion of the image recording layer by the pressure of the elastic roller. Is penetrated. Further, the surface of the image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate is free of liquid from the lithographic printing plate support by, for example, elastically deforming and rubbing the image recording layer when the elastic roller is pressed. The image recording layer in the unexposed area that has permeated and swelled is peeled off or easily peeled off. Thereby, the development processing of the planographic printing plate can be easily performed.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the lithographic printing plate image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the lower layer in the thickness direction of the image recording layer on the developed lithographic printing plate A post-processing unit for curing the side portion is provided.

  With the configuration described above, in addition to the operation and effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the surface of the lithographic printing plate is exposed at least by the development processing in the developing unit. Only the image recording layer portion where the surface layer is cured remains. Therefore, the shape of the image formed on the surface of the lithographic printing plate in the post-processing portion where the lithographic printing plate developed next is photocured by heat treatment or ultraviolet irradiation (treatment for irradiating and curing light). Regardless of the method, it is sufficient that the heating or photocuring can be performed uniformly. Therefore, since various heating means or ultraviolet irradiation means other than the means for heating with laser light can be used, the apparatus for the heating part or the ultraviolet irradiation part is simple and inexpensive. Can be configured. Further, the lithographic printing plate obtained by developing in this developing section and then heat-treating in the heating section or photocuring in the ultraviolet irradiation section was formed on the lithographic printing plate surface corresponding to the image. The image recording layer part is thermally or photocured to the lower layer part and firmly fixed to the surface of the support, and is uniformly cured throughout its thickness direction. The printing durability when used in the above can be improved.

  According to the image forming apparatus for a lithographic printing plate of the present invention, the exposed lithographic printing plate can be easily and satisfactorily developed to improve plate inspection on the plate surface, and in addition to improving printing durability. There is an effect that the post-treatment can be configured to improve the printing durability.

A planographic printing plate image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[Image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 shows an overall schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 scans and exposes an original of the planographic printing plate 12 with an infrared laser (hereinafter referred to as “IR laser L”) modulated based on digital image information, and digitally applies the original of the planographic printing plate 12 to the original. An image (latent image) corresponding to the image information is formed.

  The lithographic printing plate 12 used here is a developer in which an image recording layer containing a thermosetting photosensitive material is formed on a support, and is a developer such as water or a fountain solution generally used in a printing press. A so-called water development process (simple liquid development process) is possible in which the unexposed area is dispersed in water or dampening water or developed by removal of the film with water or a suitable aqueous solution (developer can be used as a developer) or developed on a printing press The planographic printing plate 12 is configured as described above.

  The planographic printing plate 12 includes an image recording layer (hereinafter simply referred to as “recording layer”) formed on the surface of a support made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. This recording layer contains a hydrophobizing precursor and a photothermal conversion agent.

  The lithographic printing plate 12 may be one containing, for example, a microcapsule encapsulating a heat-reactive compound, a polymerization initiator, and a photothermal conversion agent in the image recording layer. Further, since the polymerization initiator such as a radical initiator or an acid generator and the photothermal conversion agent may be present either inside or outside the microcapsule, they are added to at least one of the recording layer matrix. Just do it. However, from the viewpoint of storage stability, the polymerization initiator is preferably added to the recording layer matrix. From the viewpoint of sensitivity, the photothermal conversion agent is preferably added to the inside of the microcapsule or the outer wall of the microcapsule.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the image forming apparatus 10, a laser recording unit 11 and a water developing unit 100 are disposed inside a casing 14 that is an outer shell of the apparatus main body.

  The casing 14 is provided with a supply port 16 for supplying the original plate of the planographic printing plate 12, and a discharge port 18 for discharging the developed planographic printing plate 12 on the side opposite to the supply port 16.

  Further, in the casing 14, a transport device that performs a carry-in operation, a carry-out operation, and a transfer-in operation of the planographic printing plate 12 between the supply port 16, the laser recording unit 11, and the water developing unit 100. 104 is arranged.

  The transport device 104 includes a plurality of transport rollers 35 and a plate-shaped guide member 36 arranged along the transport path of the planographic printing plate 12. The conveying device 104 includes a laser recording unit loading / unloading position for carrying in or carrying out the operation of carrying in or carrying out the planographic printing plate 12 indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. 1 and the planographic printing plate 12 indicated by a solid line in FIG. Between the water developing unit carrying-in position where the operation of carrying in the water developing unit 100 is carried out, and a shift is possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a cylindrical outer drum 20 on which one lithographic printing plate 12 is detachably attached is attached to the laser recording unit 11 so as to be rotationally driven. On the outer peripheral surface of the outer drum 20, a front end chuck mechanism 22A and a rear end chuck mechanism 22B (for engaging the front end portion and the rear end portion of the planographic printing plate 12 on the outer peripheral surface of the outer drum 20 respectively. 1) and a guide roller 24 (shown in FIG. 1) for winding the planographic printing plate 12 on the outer peripheral surface of the outer drum 20.

  An exposure head 26 is disposed in the laser recording portion 11 so as to face the outer drum 20. The exposure head 26 is mounted so as to be movable and scanned along the sub-scanning direction by the feed mechanism 28. In the casing 14, an LD light source device 32 for supplying the IR laser L to the exposure head 26 is disposed at a lower position of the outer drum 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the exposure head 26 in the laser recording unit 11 sandwiches the lens unit 58 composed of a plurality of lenses for constituting the imaging optical system and the tip portions of the plurality of optical fibers 70. And a fiber holder 60 including a pair of support plates and a transparent protective plate for protecting the front end surface of the optical fiber 70.

  The exposure head 26 images the IR laser L emitted from each of the plurality of optical fibers 70 onto the original of the planographic printing plate 12 mounted on the outer drum 20 by the lens unit 58, and has a predetermined shape and size. The exposure is performed with a beam spot having

  The exposure head 26 is configured to be a multi-beam type capable of simultaneously projecting a plurality of beam spots on the original plate of the planographic printing plate 12, and the plurality of beam spots are sub-scanned on the original plate of the planographic printing plate 12. They are arranged along the direction or arranged on a straight line slightly inclined with respect to the sub-scanning direction.

  The other ends of the plurality of optical fibers 70 connected to the exposure head 26 are connected to a plurality of semiconductor lasers 72 in the LD light source device 32 as shown in FIG. The semiconductor laser 72 in the LD light source device 32 is fixed on a plate-shaped heat sink 74. A connector array 76 is provided in the middle of the optical fiber 70, and the optical fiber 70 can be connected to and separated from the fiber holder 60 side portion and the semiconductor laser 72 side portion via the connector array 76. Yes. Thereby, for example, when one of the semiconductor lasers LD fails, the failed semiconductor laser 72 can be easily replaced without disassembling the fiber holder 60 or the like.

  A portion (tip side) on the exposure head 26 side from the connector array 76 in the plurality of optical fibers 70 is inserted into a tube-shaped cable bear 78. The cable bear 78 has a structure in which a large number of link pieces 82 divided in the longitudinal direction are linked in series, and can be bent in the vertical direction.

  The cable bear 78 is mounted on a lower side of the guide rail 62 of the feed mechanism 28 in a bowl-shaped bear guide 80 disposed so as to extend in the sub-scanning direction.

  The bear guide 80 is configured to restrict the movement of the cable bear 78 in the front-rear direction while supporting the cable bear 78 from below. As a result, when the exposure head 26 moves in the sub-scanning direction, the tip end portion of the optical fiber 70 that moves together with the exposure head 26 is protected by the cable bear 78, and the optical fiber 70 is prevented from being damaged.

  The exposure head 26 is mounted on a plate-like carrier 68 in the feeding mechanism 28, and moves along the sub-scanning direction (direction of arrow S in FIG. 4) integrally with the carrier 68.

  The feed mechanism 28 includes a pair of guide rails 62 that support the carrier 68 so as to be slidable along the sub-scanning direction, and a feed screw shaft 66 connected to the motor unit 64. A block-shaped female screw member 69 is fixed to the lower surface of the carrier 68, and a screw shaft 66 is screwed into a female screw hole formed in the female screw member 69.

  In the feed mechanism 28 configured as described above, the screw shaft 66 is rotationally controlled by the motor unit 64 so that the exposure head 26 integrated with the carrier 68 is moved in a direction corresponding to the rotation direction of the screw shaft 66 (in the sub-scanning direction). A control operation of moving the screw shaft 66 by a distance corresponding to the amount of rotation of the screw shaft 66 in the forward or backward direction) is performed.

  In the laser recording unit 11, the exposure process for the planographic printing plate 12 is performed only when the exposure head 26 moves forward in the sub-scanning direction.

  The laser recording unit 11 configured in this way scans and exposes the original of the planographic printing plate 12 mounted on the outer drum 20 by the IR laser L modulated based on the digital image information, and the original of the planographic printing plate 12 A latent image corresponding to the digital image information is formed on the recording layer.

  Further, in this image forming apparatus 10, a lithographic printing plate on which an image is formed by performing a water development process after a laser exposure process on the lithographic printing plate 12 as described later, and further performing a post-heating process as necessary. 12 is completed. In the case where the heat treatment is performed thereafter, at least the surface side portion (preferably in the thickness direction of the recording layer) in the thickness direction of the recording layer of the lithographic printing plate 12 in the laser recording unit 11 is preferable. The lithographic printing plate 12 with a relatively weak laser power amount (light quantity for exposure) that can cure the surface side (more than one third of the surface side), for example, a laser beam (IR laser L) that is more than half the conventional laser power amount. Scanning exposure of the original plate is sufficient. Therefore, since the LD light source device 32 of the laser recording unit 11 needs a relatively low output, the LD light source device 32 can be manufactured at low cost. Also, since a low output is sufficient, the recording speed can be increased.

  In the laser recording unit 11 configured in this way, as shown in FIG. 1, when the original plate of the lithographic printing plate 12 is conveyed to the vicinity of the upper end portion of the outer drum 20 by the conveying device 104, the lithographic plate is developed by the tip chuck mechanism 22A. The front end of the original plate of the printing plate 12 is chucked on the outer peripheral surface of the outer drum 20, and the outer drum 20 is started to rotate in a predetermined normal rotation direction (the direction of arrow R1 in FIG. 1). As a result, the original plate of the planographic printing plate 12 whose tip is constrained on the outer peripheral surface of the outer drum 20 is wound around the guide roller 24 so as to be pressed onto the outer peripheral surface of the outer drum 20 so as to be in close contact therewith.

  In the laser recording unit 11, when the original of the planographic printing plate 12 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the outer drum 20 up to the rear end, the rear end of the original of the planographic printing plate 12 is moved to the outer drum 20 by the rear end chuck mechanism 22B. It is chucked on the outer peripheral surface. As a result, the entire lithographic printing plate 12 is tightly wound on the outer peripheral surface of the outer drum 20, and the operation of mounting the lithographic printing plate 12 on the outer drum 20 is completed.

  In the laser recording unit 11, the IR emitted from the exposure head 26 while the exposure head 26 is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the feed mechanism 28 in a state where the original of the planographic printing plate 12 is wound around the outer drum 20. The original of the lithographic printing plate 12 is irradiated with a laser L, and sub-scan exposure is performed on the original of the lithographic printing plate 12. In the laser recording unit 11, the exposure head is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the sub-scanning pitch in synchronization with the main scanning (one rotation of the drum).

  In the laser recording unit 11, when the exposure (image formation) process for the planographic printing plate 12 mounted on the outer drum 20 is completed as described above, the outer drum 20 is rotated in the reverse rotation direction (the direction of arrow R <b> 2 in FIG. 1). At the same time, the rear end portion and the front end portion of the planographic printing plate 12 are sequentially released from the outer drum 20 by the front end chuck mechanism 22A and the rear end chuck mechanism 22B.

  In conjunction with this, the conveying device 104 rotates the conveying roller 35 so that the planographic printing plate 12 carried out from the outer peripheral surface of the outer drum 20 is mounted on the guide member 36. Placed on the transport roller 35.

  Thereafter, the transport device 104 moves from the laser recording unit loading / unloading position shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 1 to the water developing unit loading position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, and carries the planographic printing plate 12 into the water developing unit 100. Perform the action.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the image forming apparatus 10, a water developing unit 100 is disposed on the upper side of the outer drum 20 inside the casing 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5A, in the water developing unit 100, a transport path for the lithographic printing plate 12 configured by transport means in which a plurality of transport roller pairs 108 are arranged at predetermined intervals above the water developing tray 106 is configured. .

  In the water developing unit 100, water or a liquid such as dampening water generally used in a printing machine (appropriate aqueous solution is used as a developer) above a predetermined position on the upstream side in the conveyance direction between the two pairs of conveyance rollers 108. A spray device 110 serving as a liquid supply means for spraying and adhering onto the image recording layer of the planographic printing plate 12 is disposed. The liquid supply means may be constituted by a watering roller.

  The spray device 110 can be configured, for example, by arranging a spray pipe along the width direction of the planographic printing plate 12 (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1). Although not shown, the spray pipe is formed with a plurality of discharge ports (not shown) that open along the axial direction and toward the image recording layer surface of the planographic printing plate 12. Water or a predetermined liquid is supplied to the spray pipe by a pump or the like (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5A, in the water developing unit 100, an image recording layer that has not been cured in the unexposed portion is disposed on the transport path of the planographic printing plate 12 in the vicinity of the downstream side in the transport direction of the spray device 110. An elastic pressure contact roller 200 for performing a peeling process is disposed. The elastic pressure roller 200 includes an elastic roller 202 that rolls while being elastically deformed in a state where the image recording layer of the planographic printing plate 12 is elastically pressed, and a roller that rolls on the support side surface of the planographic printing plate 12. 204. The roller 204 in the elastic pressure contact roller 200 may be constituted by a guide member or the like that is in sliding contact with the support of the planographic printing plate 12.

  The elastic body roller 202 is made of an elastic material (rubber or the like) having rigidity higher than that of the rubber transport roller pair 108, or can be pressed more strongly at the time of rolling than the rubber transport roller pair 108 to increase the deformation amount. It can be constituted by an elastic material (rubber or the like) or a roller having a thick wall shape that can increase the deformation amount during rolling.

  Also, the roller 204 used in a pair with the elastic roller 202 can be constituted by a roller formed of an elastic material (rubber or the like) having higher rigidity than the rubber conveyance roller pair 108.

  The elastic pressure contact roller 200 applies pressure to the lithographic printing plate 12 such that the elastic roller 202 is in rolling contact with the image recording layer of the planographic printing plate 12 and the roller 204 is held in contact with the support. Transport. At this time, in the lithographic printing plate 12, image recording that is not cured in the unexposed portion of the image recording layer in a state where water (water or liquid for phenomenon treatment) is applied to the surface of the image recording layer by the spray device 110. Only the layer is in a state where water (water or liquid for phenomenon treatment) permeates and swells.

  Therefore, the elastic pressure contact roller 200 uses the pressure of the elastic roller 202 to remove water (water or liquid for phenomenon treatment) contained in the surface of the image recording layer of the planographic printing plate 12 or the swollen image recording layer. The printing plate 12 is spread over the entire boundary layer between the image recording layer that is not cured in the unexposed area and the support surface.

  Further, in the elastic pressure contact roller 200, when the elastic roller 202 is pressure-bonded to the surface of the image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate 12, the elastic roller 202 is elastically deformed so that the surface of the elastic roller 202 is the surface of the lithographic printing plate 12. By rubbing the image recording layer or the like, only the image recording layer portion corresponding to the unexposed portion that has not been cured by the exposure process is peeled off from the support of the lithographic printing plate 12 or is in a state of being easily peeled off.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5A, in the water developing unit 100, the laser beam in the image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate 12 is positioned on the conveyance path of the lithographic printing plate 12 near the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the elastic pressure roller 200. In order to more reliably remove the unexposed portion that has not been thermally cured by the heat converted from, a rotating brush 112 that is rotationally driven by a motor or the like is disposed. As the rotating brush 112, a so-called channel brush, pile brush, molton brush, or the like can be used.

  The rotating brush 112 is arranged on the upper side of the conveying path, and a conveying roller 114 is arranged immediately below the rotating brush 112. The transport roller 114 is configured to support the lithographic printing plate 12 from below when the rotating brush 112 rotates while being pressed against the surface of the lithographic printing plate 12 with a predetermined strength.

  In the water developing unit 100 configured as described above, the developer, which is a liquid such as water, is sprayed and applied from the spray device 110 to the image recording layer of the planographic printing plate 12 conveyed on the conveying path, and an elastic pressure roller. 200, only the image recording layer portion corresponding to the unexposed portion that has not been cured by the exposure process is peeled off or easily peeled off from the support of the planographic printing plate 12, and the planographic printing plate is rotated with the rotating brush 112. The surface of No. 12 is rubbed with a predetermined strength to remove only the unexposed image recording layer portion, and a developing process is performed to leave only the portion where the recording layer surface side is cured.

  Next, operations and operations in the above-described image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

  When an image is formed on the planographic printing plate 12 using the image forming apparatus 10, the undeveloped planographic printing plate 12 is inserted into the image forming apparatus 10 from the supply port 16 of the casing 14.

  Then, the planographic printing plate 12 is carried into the laser recording unit 11 by the conveying device 104, and chucked on the outer peripheral surface of the outer drum 20 by the front end chuck mechanism 22A and the rear end chuck mechanism 22B, and the preparation for exposure is completed. . Thereafter, the laser recording unit 11 scans while irradiating the lithographic printing plate 12 with the IR laser L from the exposure head 26, thereby forming an exposure process (scanning exposure process) to form a latent image.

  The planographic printing plate 12 on which the latent image is formed is released from the outer drum 20 by the front end chuck mechanism 22A and the rear end chuck mechanism 22B, and is discharged onto the transport device 104. Then, the transport device 104 carries out the lithographic printing plate 12 toward the water developing unit 100.

  In the water developing unit 100, the carried lithographic printing plate 12 is subjected to water development processing.

  The planographic printing plate 12 on which an image is formed by water development processing in the water developing unit 100 is carried out from a discharge port 18 onto a tray (not shown) outside the apparatus.

  The planographic printing plate 12 on which an image is formed in this manner is mounted on a printing machine (not shown) and used for printing.

  Next, another configuration example of the water developing unit 100 that can be used in the embodiment of the lithographic printing plate image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  The water developing unit 100 shown in FIG. 5B has a plurality of sets (two sets in FIG. 5B) of rotating brushes 112 that are driven to rotate by a motor or the like on the downstream side in the transport direction of the elastic pressure roller 200 on the transport path of the planographic printing plate 12. (Examples are provided) Each of them is arranged at a predetermined interval. By comprising in this way, the lithographic printing plate 12 can be sufficiently developed, and a printing original plate on which a more stable quality image is recorded can be obtained.

  Next, in the water developing unit 100 shown in FIG. 6, the elastic pressure contact roller 200 is supplied with water or a liquid such as dampening water generally used in a printing machine (an appropriate aqueous solution may be used as a developer) of the lithographic printing plate 12. Liquid supply means for supplying the image recording layer is also provided.

  For this reason, the auxiliary roller 206 is configured to roll-contact the elastic body roller 202 of the elastic pressure contact roller 200 at a predetermined position on the upper side of an oblique long side facing the front in the rotation direction during conveyance from the apex. The auxiliary roller 206 has the same length as the elastic roller 202, and is configured to uniformly adhere a predetermined amount of liquid to the surface of the elastic roller 202.

  Also, above the position where the elastic roller 202 and the auxiliary roller 206 are in rolling contact with each other, a liquid such as water or a dampening solution generally used in a printing machine (an appropriate aqueous solution may be used as a developer). A spray device 110 is disposed as a liquid supply means for dropping.

  The spray device 110 can be configured by, for example, arranging spray pipes having a plurality of discharge ports (not shown) along the width direction of the planographic printing plate 12 (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1). Water or a predetermined liquid is supplied to the spray pipe by a pump or the like (not shown).

  In the water developing unit 100 configured in this way, water or a liquid such as dampening water generally used in a printing press is applied to a portion where the elastic roller 202 and the auxiliary roller 206 are in rolling contact from the spray device 110. Supplyed and stored in a predetermined small amount. When the elastic pressure contact roller 200 rotates in this state, an appropriate amount of liquid such as water or dampening water generally used in a printing press is uniformly attached to the surface of the elastic roller 202 by the action of the auxiliary roller 206. Then, when the elastic roller 202 having a suitable amount of water or a dampening solution generally used in a printing press uniformly attached to the surface is rolled onto the image recording layer of the planographic printing plate 12, this water or generally A liquid such as a fountain solution used in a printing machine is uniformly applied by an appropriate amount so as to be transferred.

  Next, in the water developing unit 100 shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of sets of elastic pressure contact rollers 200 (two sets in FIG. 7 are provided on the downstream side in the transport direction of the spray device 110 on the transport path of the planographic printing plate 12. (Exemplary) Each is arranged at a predetermined interval. In the case of such a configuration, water or dampening water generally used in a printing machine is used evenly over the entire boundary layer between the image recording layer portion corresponding to the unexposed portion of the planographic printing plate 12 and the support surface. The liquid infiltrates the liquid, and more stably, only the unexposed image recording layer portion that has not been cured by the exposure treatment can be peeled from the support of the planographic printing plate 12 or can be easily peeled off.

  Next, the water developing unit 100 shown in FIG. 8 is configured to perform the water developing process while reciprocating the planographic printing plate 12 on the conveyance path. For this reason, in the transport direction from the supply port 16 toward the discharge port 18, the water developing unit 100 includes the spray device 110, the elastic pressure roller 200, the rotary brush 112, the elastic pressure contact, following the transport roller pair 108 upstream in the transport direction. The roller 200 and the spray device 110 are arranged in order.

  In the water developing unit 100 configured as described above, water is used on the image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate 12 by a spray device 110 or generally used in a printing machine in the first outbound path for water development processing of the lithographic printing plate 12. A liquid such as a fountain solution is attached, and water (water or a liquid for phenomenon treatment) contained in the surface of the image recording layer of the planographic printing plate 12 or the swollen image recording layer by the elastic pressure roller 200 is used. By the pressure of the elastic roller 202, the lithographic printing plate 12 is more stably swelled by allowing it to uniformly penetrate and swell over the entire boundary layer between the image recording layer portion corresponding to the unexposed portion of the lithographic printing plate 12 and the support surface. Only the unexposed portion of the image recording layer that has not been cured by the exposure process can be peeled off from the support of the plate 12 or can be easily peeled off.

  Further, in the water developing unit 100 shown in FIG. 8, the unexposed image recording layer portion on which the boundary layer that is easily peeled off is formed by rubbing the surface of the lithographic printing plate 12 with a predetermined strength by the rotating brush 112 is removed. Then, development processing is performed to leave only the portion where the recording layer surface side is cured.

  After that, in the water developing unit 100 shown in FIG. 8, the water developing process is performed while the transport roller pair 108 is rotated in the reverse direction and the planographic printing plate 12 is transported from the discharge port 18 to the supply port 16 with respect to the water developing unit 100. In the return path, the same processing as that of the first forward path for the water development processing of the lithographic printing plate 12 described above is performed. In the water developing unit 100 shown in FIG. 8, the above-described operation of reciprocating the planographic printing plate 12 with respect to the water developing unit 100 may be repeated a plurality of times to perform the water developing process.

  Next, in the water developing unit 100 shown in FIG. 9, the elastic pressure roller 200 and the rotating brush 112 are brought into rolling contact with the lithographic printing plate 12 in water or a liquid such as fountain solution generally used in a printing press. Configure to perform processing.

  For this reason, the water developing unit 100 shown in FIG. 9 is provided with a liquid tank 208 that stores water or a liquid such as fountain solution generally used in a printing press, and the water stored therein or the moisture generally used in a printing press. The transport path of the lithographic printing plate 12 is constituted by a guide plate or the like so as to pass a liquid such as water. Further, the elastic roller 202 and the rotating brush 112 are respectively installed in a portion of the transport path of the lithographic printing plate 12 that passes through water or a liquid such as dampening water generally used in a printing press.

  Then, the lithographic printing plate 12 is immersed in the liquid in the liquid tank 208 or a liquid such as a dampening solution generally used in a printing press with the pressure of the elastic pressure roller 200 to be rolled. In this case, water or a liquid such as dampening water generally used in a printing machine is spread over the boundary layer portion between the unexposed image recording layer portion and the support surface, and lithographic printing is performed by the elastic deformation operation of the elastic roller 202. By rubbing the image recording layer of the plate 12, only the unexposed image recording layer portion on which the boundary layer easily peeled from the support of the planographic printing plate 12 is peeled or easily peeled off.

  Further, the surface of the lithographic printing plate 12 is made to have a predetermined strength by the rotating brush 112 while the lithographic printing plate 12 is immersed in water in the liquid tank 208 or a liquid such as fountain solution generally used in a printing press. By rubbing, the unexposed image recording layer portion on which the easily peeled boundary layer is formed is removed, and development processing is performed so as to leave only the portion where the recording layer surface side is cured.

  In the water developing unit 100 shown in FIG. 9 configured as described above, the water developing process can be performed in a state where water or a liquid such as a fountain solution generally used in a printing press is sufficiently supplied. Further, the water stored in the liquid tank 208 or a liquid such as dampening water generally used in a printing press is heated to a warm liquid such as hot water (temperature not lower than the boiling point and higher than room temperature) by a heating means (not shown). In such a case, an appropriate water layer can be formed by forming a boundary layer that is easily swelled by allowing the liquid to sufficiently penetrate and swell into a portion corresponding to the unexposed image recording layer portion that has not been cured by the exposure treatment of the planographic printing plate 12. Development processing can be performed.

  Next, the lithographic printing plate image forming apparatus 10 is subjected to laser exposure processing, water development processing, and post-heating processing to complete the lithographic printing plate 12 on which an image is formed. Each example will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2, the position between the water developing unit 100 and the discharge port 18 on the transport path of the planographic printing plate 12 (from the water developing unit 100 to the planographic plate) is inside the casing 14 that is an outer shell of the apparatus main body. A post-heating unit 102 as a post-processing unit is disposed at a position downstream of the printing plate 12 in the conveyance direction.

  Thereafter, the heat treatment unit 102 heats the portion on the lower layer side in the thickness direction of the image recording layer on the lithographic printing plate 12 that has been subjected to the water development process (the fixing surface side to the aluminum support that contacts the back side of the recording layer). A curing process is performed.

  For this reason, in the post-heating processing unit 102, a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 122 and conveyance rollers 122A are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval in order to constitute a conveyance path for the planographic printing plate 12. Further, heaters 123 as heating means for heating the recording layer of the planographic printing plate 12 to a predetermined heating temperature are disposed above and below the conveyance path of the planographic printing plate 12, respectively. Then, in the post-heating processing section 102, the planographic printing plate 12 conveyed on the conveyance path is heated from the front and back surfaces by the heater 123, and the lower layer side in the thickness direction of the image recording layer (the aluminum support that contacts the recording layer back surface side) The part on the side of the fixing surface to the body is sufficiently heat-cured.

  The heating means used in the post-heat treatment unit 102 is a radiant heating means such as a halogen heater or a ceramic heater, a heating fan unit that jets hot air from a nozzle or a heat roller that rolls on the planographic printing plate 12, a heating means that uses electromagnetic radiation, It can be composed of heating means by high frequency induction heating.

  Further, the post-heating processing unit 102 may be configured to feedback control the heating means with a heating control unit (not shown). In this case, a temperature sensor such as an infrared radiation thermometer for detecting the temperature of the heating area (the part being heated) in the image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate 12 is disposed, and the temperature of the heating area (surface temperature) is detected by this temperature sensor. ) And a measurement signal corresponding to the surface temperature of the heating region is output to a heating control unit (not shown).

  The heating control unit is configured to feedback control the heating unit based on the measurement signal of the temperature sensor so that the temperature of the heating region becomes a predetermined temperature.

  When the heating means is feedback-controlled in this way, the temperature of the heating region can be maintained at a predetermined heating temperature with high accuracy and stability.

  Further, in the post-heat treatment section 102, the heating temperature when heating the surface of the lithographic printing plate 12 is set to the lower layer side in the thickness direction of the image recording layer on the lithographic printing plate 12 subjected to the water development treatment ( The temperature is set at a temperature at which the portion of the recording layer on the back side of the recording layer, which is fixed to the aluminum support, is sufficiently thermoset, and the unexposed portion of the planographic printing plate 12 does not cause so-called fogging.

  In addition, when the unexposed portion of the lithographic printing plate 12 is fogged during printing, when the lithographic printing plate 12 is exposed by the laser recording unit 11, the unexposed portion of the image recording layer is developed with water. The surface of the anodized film of the aluminum support (an anodized and roughened hydrophilic surface) is exposed by removing the image recording layer by the water development processing of the part 100, and the exposed surface of the anodized film is It is heated by the post-heat treatment unit 102 and the hydrophilicity is impaired. At the time of printing, ink is placed on this portion, and printing is performed in a state where ink is attached to a place where the ink should not be attached.

  Further, the conditions of the heating temperature and the heating time in the post-heat treatment unit 102 are determined by the characteristics of the chemical composition in the image recording layer of the lithographic printing plate 12, and are appropriately heated at various heating temperatures. Determine the heating temperature. For example, the heating condition is that the heating temperature is 120 ° C. to 140 ° C., and heating is performed for 1 second to 10 seconds.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 10 provided with the post-heating processing unit 102, the planographic printing plate 12 subjected to the water development processing in the water developing unit 100 is transported along the transport path and carried into the post-heating processing unit 102. The lithographic printing plate 12 having the above is completed and processed by a procedure of carrying it out from the discharge port 18 onto a tray (not shown) outside the apparatus.

  Next, a post-processing unit installed in the lithographic printing plate image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3, a planographic printing plate 12 is used in which an image recording layer containing a photocurable photosensitive material is formed on a support. In the image forming apparatus 10, the position between the water developing unit 100 and the discharge port 18 on the transport path of the planographic printing plate 12 (from the water developing unit 100 to the planographic printing plate 12) within the casing 14 that is the outer shell of the apparatus main body. The light irradiation unit 103 that performs post-processing is disposed at a downstream position in the transport direction).

  The light irradiation unit 103 is fixed to the lower layer side in the thickness direction of the image recording layer on the planographic printing plate 12 that has been subjected to the water development treatment by the ultraviolet lamp (UV light) (fixed to the aluminum support that contacts the back side of the recording layer). The surface side) part is photocured.

  Therefore, a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 122 are arranged in the light irradiation unit 103 in order to configure a conveyance path for the planographic printing plate 12. Further, a UV light 125 as light irradiation means is disposed above the transport path of the planographic printing plate 12. In this light irradiation unit 103, the lithographic printing plate 12 conveyed on the conveyance path is irradiated with ultraviolet rays irradiated from the UV light 125, and the lower layer side in the thickness direction of the image recording layer (aluminum corresponding to the recording layer rear surface side). The part on the fixing surface side with respect to the support is configured to be sufficiently photocured.

  Since the configuration, operation, and effects of the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3 other than those described above are the same as those of the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 1, the description thereof is omitted.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 10 described above, the laser recording unit 11, the water developing unit 100, the post-heating processing unit 102 or the light irradiation unit 103 are configured as an integrated structure device arranged in one casing 14. However, the apparatus having the laser recording section 11, the water developing section 100, and the apparatus having the post-heating processing section 102 or the light irradiation section 103 provided as necessary are configured as separate apparatuses. Also good.

  In this case, the lithographic printing plate 12 is exposed by an apparatus having the laser recording unit 11, and then the lithographic printing plate 12 on which the latent image is formed is separated into a separate water developing unit 100 and water developing unit. The lithographic printing plate 12 on which an image is formed by 100 is completed, or the lithographic printing plate 12 on which an image is formed by the post-heat treatment unit 102 or the light irradiation unit 103 which is configured integrally with the water developing unit 100 or separately. Will be completed.

  Next, a planographic printing plate image forming method applied in the image forming apparatus 10 that performs the above-described post-heating treatment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the lithographic printing plate image forming method in which post-heating treatment is performed, as shown in FIG. 10, the lithographic printing plate 12 is formed with an anodic oxide film 126 serving as a hydrophilic layer on the surface of an aluminum support 124, and the anodic oxide film 126. The image recording layer 128 formed on the upper surface is used.

  The thus configured lithographic printing plate 12 has at least a surface-side portion (preferably 3 minutes on the surface side in the thickness direction of the recording layer) in the thickness direction of the image recording layer 128 in the exposure processing step. A latent image is formed by performing an exposure process with a laser beam (IR laser L) having a relatively weak laser power amount (half the conventional laser power amount) for curing one or more portions of the laser beam.

  In this exposure process, the amount of laser power can be reduced, and as a result, the same effect as that obtained by improving the sensitivity of the lithographic printing plate 12 can be obtained.

  In the lithographic printing plate 12 exposed in this way, as shown in FIG. 10, the exposed image recording layer portion 128A in the image recording layer 128 portion is thermally cured at the surface side portion. The unexposed image recording layer portion 128B remains as an uncured layer.

  Next, the exposed lithographic printing plate 12 is subjected to water development. In this water development processing step, as shown in FIG. 11, the layer which is the unexposed image recording layer portion 128B in the planographic printing plate 12 is removed. That is, in this water development process, the exposed image recording layer portion 128A of the lithographic printing plate 12 with the hardened surface layer remains, and the unexposed image recording layer portion 128B is squeezed and removed. It is processed.

  Next, the developed lithographic printing plate 12 is heated. In this heat treatment step, as shown in FIG. 12, the image recording layer portion 128A, which is an oleophilic layer cured only on the surface layer of the lithographic printing plate 12, is heated and cured to the interface with the anodized film 126, and the anodized film It firmly adheres to the surface of 126 and cures well so that the entire image recording layer portion 128A is homogeneous.

  As in the prior art, when the image recording layer portion 128A is cured by laser exposure processing on the lithographic printing plate 12, if the intensity of the irradiated laser beam is increased, the surface of the image recording layer portion 128A is scattered by ablation. In addition, since the heat escapes to the aluminum support 124 side at the portion near the anodic oxide film 126 in the thickness direction of the image recording layer portion 128A, the heat curing becomes insufficient, so that the entire image recording layer portion 128A is uniformly cured. Therefore, the printing durability of the lithographic printing plate 12 was about 500 sheets.

  Compared to this, the lithographic printing plate 12 in which the lithographic printing plate 12 is subjected to exposure treatment, water development treatment, and then heat-treated to form an image can dramatically improve the printing durability to about 50,000 sheets. It was confirmed by experiments.

  That is, according to the above-described image forming method of a lithographic printing plate, high printing durability of the lithographic printing plate 12 on which an image is formed can be realized, and a large number of good printed materials can be obtained.

  Further, in the (simple) water developing system using the image forming apparatus 10, the image recorded by the image recording apparatus is output after development, so that the plate inspection can be improved.

  Further, in the (simple) water development system using the image forming apparatus 10, the layer (development residue) that is the unexposed image recording layer portion 128 </ b> B of the planographic printing plate 12 is removed in the water developing unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, the unexposed image recording layer portion 128B of the lithographic printing plate 12 is used as in the case of on-press development in which a conventional lithographic printing plate is mounted and printed on a printing press without performing post-exposure development processing. It is possible to eliminate the possibility that a certain layer (development residue) adversely affects the printing press.

  As post-processing, the lithographic printing plate 12 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays irradiated from the UV light 125, and the lower layer side in the thickness direction of the image recording layer (fixed surface side with respect to the aluminum support that contacts the back side of the recording layer) Even when a means for sufficient photocuring is employed, the same actions and effects as described above can be obtained.

Next, a configuration example 1 of a lithographic printing plate that can be used in the embodiment of the lithographic printing plate image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.
<Configuration example 1>
[Preparation of aluminum support (1) (preparation of aluminum substrate)]
The molten metal of JIS A1050 alloy containing 99.5% or more of aluminum and Fe 0.30%, Si 0.10%, Ti 0.02%, and Cu 0.013% was subjected to cleaning treatment and cast. As the cleaning process, a degassing process was performed to remove unnecessary gases such as hydrogen in the molten metal, and a ceramic tube filter process was performed. The casting method was a DC casting method. The solidified 500 mm thick ingot was chamfered 10 mm from the surface and homogenized at 550 ° C. for 10 hours so as not to coarsen the intermetallic compound. Next, after hot rolling at 400 ° C. and intermediate annealing at 500 ° C. for 60 seconds in a continuous annealing furnace, cold rolling was performed to obtain an aluminum rolled plate having a plate thickness of 0.30 mm. By controlling the roughness of the rolling roll, the centerline average surface roughness Ra after cold rolling was controlled to 0.2 μm. Then, it applied to the tension leveler in order to improve planarity.

  Next, a surface treatment for making a lithographic printing plate support was performed. First, in order to remove the rolling oil on the surface of the aluminum plate, degreasing treatment was carried out with a 10% sodium aluminate aqueous solution at 50 ° C. for 30 seconds, and neutralization and smut removal treatment were carried out with a 30% sulfuric acid aqueous solution at 50 ° C. for 30 seconds.

Next, in order to improve the adhesion between the support and the heat-sensitive layer and to provide water retention to the non-image area, a so-called graining treatment was performed to roughen the surface of the support. While maintaining an aqueous solution containing 1% nitric acid and 0.5% aluminum nitrate at 45 ° C. and flowing an aluminum web through the aqueous solution, an alternating waveform with a current density of 20 A / dm ² and a duty ratio of 1: 1 by an indirect power supply cell Then, electrolytic graining was performed by giving an anode side electric quantity of 240 C / dm ² . Thereafter, etching treatment was performed with a 10% sodium aluminate aqueous solution at 50 ° C. for 30 seconds, and neutralization and smut removal treatment were performed with a 30% sulfuric acid aqueous solution at 50 ° C. for 30 seconds. (Aluminum substrate A)
Furthermore, in order to improve wear resistance, chemical resistance and water retention, an oxide film was formed on the support by anodic oxidation. An anodized film of 2.5 g / m ² by using a 20% sulfuric acid aqueous solution as an electrolyte at 35 ° C. and carrying out an electrolytic treatment with a direct current of 14 A / dm ² by an indirect power feeding cell while carrying an aluminum web into the electrolyte. It was created. (Aluminum substrate B)
Thereafter, a silicate treatment was performed in order to ensure hydrophilicity as a non-image portion of the printing plate. The treatment was carried with a 1.5% aqueous solution of sodium silicate 3 maintained at 70 ° C. so that the contact time of the aluminum web was 15 seconds, and further washed with water. The adhesion amount of Si was 10 mg / m ² . Ra (center line surface roughness) of the support prepared as described above was 0.25 μm. (Aluminum substrate C)
[Preparation of Aluminum Support (2) (Preparation of Support with Exothermic Hydrophilic Layer on Aluminum Substrate)]
Methanol silica sol (manufactured by Nissan Chemical Co., Ltd .: colloid consisting of methanol solution containing 30% by weight of silica particles of 10 nm to 20 nm) 45.2 g of methanol, 1.52 g of poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, infrared absorbing dye (I -32) 3.2 g was dissolved, and bar coating was performed on the aluminum substrate C obtained previously. It dried on 100 degree and 30 second conditions using oven. The coating amount was 1.0 g / m ² .
[Preparation of aluminum support (3) (preparation of support with an insulating layer provided on an aluminum substrate and an exothermic hydrophilic layer)]
Application of heat insulating layer 10 g of polyvinyl butyral resin was dissolved in 100 g of methyl ethyl ketone and 90 g of methyl lactate, and bar coating was performed on the aluminum substrate C obtained previously. It dried on 100 degree and 1 minute conditions using oven. The coating amount was 0.5 g / m ² . Application of Exothermic Hydrophilic Layer Dissolve 45.2 g of methanol silica sol, 1.52 g of poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 3.2 g of infrared absorbing dye (I-32) in 240 g of methanol. Bar coating was performed. It dried on 100 degree and 30 second conditions using oven. The coating amount was 1.0 g / m ² .
[Synthesis of microcapsules]
Synthesis of microcapsules whose outer walls are broken by heat (1)
As an oil phase component, 40 g of xylene diisocyanate, 10 g of trimethylolpropane diacrylate, 10 g of a copolymer of allyl methacrylate and butyl methacrylate (molar ratio 60/40) and Pionein A41C (manufactured by Takemoto Yushi) were dissolved in 60 g of ethyl acetate. As an aqueous phase component, 120 g of a 4% aqueous solution of PVA205 (manufactured by Kuraray) was prepared. The oil phase component and the aqueous phase component were emulsified at 10,000 rpm using a homogenizer. Thereafter, 40 g of water was added, followed by stirring at room temperature for 30 minutes and further at 40 degrees for 3 hours. The microcapsule solution thus obtained had a solid content concentration of 20% and an average particle size of 0.5 μm.

Synthesis of microcapsules whose outer walls are broken by heat (2)
As oil phase components, 30 g of isophorone diisocyanate, 10 g of hexamethylene diisocyanate, 20 g of diethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, and 0.1 g of Pionine A41C (manufactured by Takemoto Yushi) were dissolved in 60 g of ethyl acetate. As an aqueous phase component, 120 g of a 4% aqueous solution of PVA205 (manufactured by Kuraray) was prepared. The oil phase component and the aqueous phase component were emulsified at 10,000 rpm using a homogenizer. Thereafter, 40 g of water was added, followed by stirring at room temperature for 30 minutes and further at 40 degrees for 3 hours. The thus obtained microcapsule liquid had a solid content of 20% and an average particle size of 0.7 μm.

Synthesis of particulate polymer that coalesces by heat (1) (no reactive groups)
15 g of styrene and 200 ml of a polyoxyethylene phenol aqueous solution (concentration 9.84 × 10 −3 mol·l −1) are added, and the system is replaced with nitrogen gas while stirring at 250 rpm. The solution is brought to 25 ° C., and 10 ml of an aqueous cerium (IV) ammonium salt solution (concentration 0.984 × 10 −3 mol·l −1) is added. At this time, an aqueous ammonium nitrate solution (concentration 58.8 × 10 −3 mol·l −1) is added to adjust the pH to 1.3 to 1.4. This was then stirred for 8 hours. The liquid thus obtained had a solid content concentration of 9.5% and an average particle size of 0.4 μm.

Application of heat-sensitive layer On the aluminum supports (1), (2) and (3) prepared as described above, the microcapsules of Synthesis Examples (1) and (2) and the heat of Synthesis Example (1) are combined. The coating liquid which consists of the following compositions each containing a particulate polymer was created, and the heat sensitive layer was apply | coated.

Thermosensitive layer coating solution composition Water 70 g 1-methoxy-2-propanol 30 g Synthesized microcapsules (1), (2), 5 g Fine polymer (1) combined with heat (in terms of solid content) Polyhydroxyethyl acrylate 0. 5 gp-diazophenylamine sulfate 0.3 g Infrared absorbing dye (I-32) 0.3 g
After the above liquid was applied by a bar, it was dried in an oven at 90 ° C. for 120 seconds. The coating amount was 0.5 g / m ² .

Next, a configuration example 2 of the lithographic printing plate that can be used in the embodiment of the lithographic printing plate image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.
<Configuration example 2>
An image recording layer coating solution having the following composition was bar-coated on a support configured in the same manner as the support of the above-described configuration example 1, and then oven-dried at 70 ° C. for 60 seconds to obtain a dry coating amount of 0.8 g / m. ^Two image recording layers were formed to obtain a lithographic printing plate precursor.
Image forming layer coating solution (1)
・ 55g of water
・ Propylene glycol monomethyl ether 30g
・ Methanol 5g
・ The following microcapsule (1) (in terms of solid content) 5 g
・ Ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate (manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., SR9035, EO addition mole number 15, molecular weight 1000) 0.2 g
-0.5 g of the following polymerization initiator (1)
・ The following infrared absorber (1) 0.15 g
・ Fluorine-based surfactant (Dainippon Ink & Chemicals Co., Ltd. Megafac F-171) 0.1 g

（マイクロカプセル（１）の合成）
油相成分として、トリメチロールプロパンとキシレンジイソシアナート付加体（三井武田ケミカル(株)製、タケネートＤ−１１０Ｎ）１０ｇ、ペンタエリスリトールトリアクリレート（日本化薬（株）製、ＳＲ４４４）３．１５ｇ、下記の赤外線吸収剤（２）０．３５ｇ、３−（Ｎ，Ｎ−ジエチルアミノ）−６−メチル−７−アニリノフルオラン（山本化成製ＯＤＢ）１ｇ、及びパイオニンＡ−４１Ｃ（竹本油脂(株)製） ０．１ｇを酢酸エチル１７ｇに溶解した。水相成分としてＰＶＡ−２０５の４質量％水溶液４０ｇを調製した。油相成分及び水相成分を混合し、ホモジナイザーを用いて１２０００ｒｐｍで１０分間乳化した。得られた乳化物を、蒸留水２５ｇに添加し、室温で３０分攪拌後、４０℃で３時間攪拌した。このようにして得られたマイクロカプセル液の固形分濃度を、２０質量％になるように蒸留水を用いて希釈した。平均粒径はいずれも０．３μｍであった。

(Synthesis of microcapsule (1))
As an oil phase component, trimethylolpropane and xylene diisocyanate adduct (manufactured by Mitsui Takeda Chemical Co., Ltd., Takenate D-110N) 10 g, pentaerythritol triacrylate (manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., SR444) 3.15 g, 0.35 g of the following infrared absorber (2), 1 g of 3- (N, N-diethylamino) -6-methyl-7-anilinofluorane (ODB manufactured by Yamamoto Kasei), and Pionin A-41C (Takemoto Yushi Co., Ltd.) ) 0.1 g was dissolved in 17 g of ethyl acetate. As an aqueous phase component, 40 g of a 4% by mass aqueous solution of PVA-205 was prepared. The oil phase component and the aqueous phase component were mixed and emulsified for 10 minutes at 12000 rpm using a homogenizer. The obtained emulsion was added to 25 g of distilled water, stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes, and then stirred at 40 ° C. for 3 hours. The microcapsule solution thus obtained was diluted with distilled water so that the solid content concentration became 20% by mass. All of the average particle diameters were 0.3 μm.

なお、本発明の平版印刷版の画像形成装置に係わる実施の形態に利用可能な平版印刷版は、上述した平版印刷版の構成例に限定されるものでは無く、例えば、特開２００１−２７７７４０号公報若しくは特開２００１−２７７７４２号公報に記載された種々の構成の平版印刷版、又は一般に印刷機上現像システムに使用可能な支持体上に疎水化前駆体と光熱変換剤とを含有する膜状の画像記録層が形成されたサーマル記録式（ヒートモード）の印刷版である平版印刷版を利用して、比較的低出力のレーザ光を照射して露光処理することにより良好に画像形成でき、また耐刷性を向上することができる。

The lithographic printing plate usable in the embodiment relating to the lithographic printing plate image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration example of the lithographic printing plate. For example, JP-A-2001-277740. A lithographic printing plate having various configurations described in JP-A-2001-277742, or a film-form containing a hydrophobizing precursor and a photothermal conversion agent on a support generally usable in a developing system on a printing press By using a lithographic printing plate that is a thermal recording type (heat mode) printing plate on which an image recording layer is formed, an image can be formed satisfactorily by irradiating with a relatively low output laser beam, Further, printing durability can be improved.

  Here, when referred to as a thermal recording type (heat mode) printing plate, a hydrophilic image forming layer is provided on a hydrophilic support, the image is exposed to heat mode, and the hydrophilic layer is soluble and dispersible. And, if necessary, include those that can be developed by removing the unexposed portions by wet development.

  For example, in the thermal recording type printing plate of the present invention, the thermoplastic resin particle layer on the support is fused by heat to make the ink receptive, and the unexposed part after exposure is removed with an aqueous liquid such as dampening water. In particular, photothermal with hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles dispersed in a hydrophilic binder and an image-forming element containing a photothermal conversion substance or in an adjacent layer, which can be combined under the influence of heat. A conversion-type lithographic printing plate or a lithographic printing plate having a self-water dispersible thermoplastic resin particle layer that can be oleophilicized by heat can be used.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an overall schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an overall schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus provided with a post-heating processing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the whole schematic structure of the image forming apparatus which provided the post-heating process part of another structure based on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of a laser recording portion extracted from the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B are enlarged schematic configuration diagrams showing a water developing portion extracted from the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic configuration diagram illustrating a portion of a water developing unit having another configuration extracted from the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an enlarged schematic configuration diagram showing a part of a water developing unit having still another configuration in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an enlarged schematic configuration diagram showing a part of a water developing unit having still another configuration in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic configuration diagram illustrating a portion of a water developing unit having another configuration extracted from the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view showing the principal part of the lithographic printing plate exposed by the lithographic printing plate image forming apparatus provided with the post-heating processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part of a lithographic printing plate that has been subjected to a water development process in an image forming apparatus for a lithographic printing plate provided with a post-heating treatment unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part of a lithographic printing plate heat-treated by an image forming apparatus for a lithographic printing plate provided with a post-heating treatment unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Planographic printing plate 100 Water developing part 102 Post-heating process part 103 Light irradiation part 106 Water developing tray 110 Spraying apparatus 112 Rotating brush 124 Aluminum support body 125 UV light 126 Anodized film 128 Image recording layer 128A Image recording layer Portion 128B Image recording layer portion 200 Elastic pressure contact roller 202 Elastic body roller 204 Roller 208 Liquid tank

Claims (4)

An image recording layer that is not cured in an unexposed portion after a latent image is formed by exposing the lithographic printing plate on which an image recording layer containing a photosensitive material that is cured by irradiation of light on a support is formed. In an image forming apparatus that performs development processing for peeling off
Liquid supply means for adhering water or liquid onto the image recording layer on which a latent image is formed by exposure processing of the lithographic printing plate;
An elastic roller that rolls in contact with the surface of the image recording layer while being elastically deformed in an elastically applied state;
An image forming apparatus for a lithographic printing plate, comprising: 2. The lithographic printing plate image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply means is disposed on the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the elastic roller. An image recording layer that is not cured in an unexposed portion after a latent image is formed by exposing the lithographic printing plate on which an image recording layer containing a photosensitive material that is cured by irradiation of light on a support is formed. In an image forming apparatus that performs development processing for peeling off
A liquid tank for storing a liquid heated to a predetermined temperature;
A state in which a lithographic printing plate in which a latent image is formed on the image recording layer by exposure processing passes through the liquid stored in the liquid tank, and the surface of the image recording layer is elastically pressurized. An elastic roller that makes rolling contact while elastically deforming,
An image forming apparatus for a lithographic printing plate, comprising: 4. The post-processing unit according to claim 1, further comprising a post-processing unit that cures a lower layer side portion in the thickness direction of the image recording layer on the developed lithographic printing plate. An image forming apparatus for a lithographic printing plate as described in 1 above.

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