Plate storage device

Abstract

To provide a plate storing device that can reduce time and effort for separating a receiving tray and is compatible with automation.SOLUTION: A plate storing device 14 for storing a plate on a receiving tray 13 includes an attachment and detachment holding part 37 that can control switching between a hold state of holding the receiving tray 13 and a hold canceling state of canceling the hold of the receiving tray 13 and holds the receiving tray 13 in a plate storing position 35 for storing a plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plate storage device that stores printing plates on a plate receiving table. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, printing plates made by a plate-making device are loaded onto a printing press to print a printed matter. The plates made by the plate-making device are sorted for each printing press and stored on a movable receiving table by a plate storage device. The receiving table with the stored plates is then transported to the location of the printing press, and the plates are loaded onto the printing press.

[0003] In addition, the plate storage device stores printing plates by holding the receiving table at a predetermined plate storage position. To hold the receiving table at the plate storage position, the receiving table is attracted and held by the magnetic force of a permanent magnet, or a connecting pin is inserted into the overlapping portion of the receiving table and the plate storage device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-330489 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when moving the receiving platform after the plates have been stored, it is necessary to apply force against the magnetic force of the permanent magnet to separate the receiving platform, or to remove the connecting pin, which requires manual labor and is time-consuming.In addition, the need for manual labor makes it difficult to automate the process.

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a plate storage device that can reduce the labor required to separate the receiving base and that can be automated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The plate storage device of the present invention is a plate storage device that stores printing plates on a receiving table, a support portion on which the pedestal is placed so as to be horizontally movable; The receiving table is provided with a detachable holding section that can be switched between a holding state in which the receiving table is held and a holding release state in which the holding state of the receiving table is released, and that holds the receiving table at a plate storage position in which the printing plate is stored. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a plate storage device that can reduce the time and effort required to separate the receiving base and that can be automated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing plate processing system equipped with a plate storage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a front view of a plate storage device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0011] Figure 1 shows a configuration diagram of a printing plate processing system 10. The printing plate processing system 10 includes a plate making section 12 that makes printing plates 11, and a plate storage device 14 that stores the printing plates 11 made by the plate making section 12 on a receiving table 13.

[0012] The platemaking section 12 includes a CTP (Computer To Plate) that draws printing information on the printing plate 11, an automatic developing machine that develops the printing information drawn on the printing plate 11 (omitted if the printing plate 11 is an unprocessed plate), and the like.

[0013] The plate storage device 14 includes a plurality of plate storage sections (printing plate transfer sections) 15 and one transfer unit 16 that is movable relative to these plate storage sections 15. Each plate storage section 15 is provided with a receiving tray arrangement section 17 on which a receiving tray 13 is respectively arranged. The plate storage device 14 is also equipped with a sorting mechanism that sorts the printing plates 11, for example, by job (order number). The transfer unit 16 receives the printing plates 11 sent from the plate making section 12, and the transfer unit 16 moves to the plate storage section 15 to which the printing plates 11 are to be sorted, and transfers and stores the printing plates 11 on receiving trays 13 arranged in the receiving tray arrangement section 17 of the plate storage section 15 to which the plates are to be sorted.

[0014] In the following description, the direction in which the plate storage section 15 and the receiving tray arrangement section 17 are aligned in the plate storage device 14 is referred to as the first direction A, and the direction intersecting the first direction A and in which multiple plate storage sections 15 are aligned is referred to as the second direction B.

[0015] In this embodiment, three plate storage sections 15 and receiving tray arrangement sections 17 are arranged in a row in the second direction B, and the transfer unit 16 is movable in the second direction (sorting movement direction) B in which the multiple plate storage sections 15 are arranged. The number of plate storage sections 15 and receiving tray arrangement sections 17 is not limited to three, but may be two, four or more, or there may be only one without a sorting function.

[0016] Figures 2 to 7 show the structure of the plate storage device 14. Figures 2 to 4 show one plate storage section 15 and a receiving pedestal arrangement section 17, as well as a transfer unit 16 moved to this plate storage section 15 and a receiving pedestal 13 arranged in the receiving pedestal arrangement section 17. Figures 5 to 7 show enlarged views of one plate storage section 15 and a receiving pedestal arrangement section 17.

[0017] The receiving table 13 comprises a rectangular base portion 20 in a plan view, legs 21 protruding downward from both longitudinal sides of the base portion 20, and a receiving portion 22 supported on the upper surface of the base portion 20 and adapted to receive the printing plate 11 transferred by the transfer unit 16.

[0018] The receiving portion 22 has a standing portion 23 which has a width approximately the same as the width of the base portion 20 in the longitudinal direction (hereinafter also referred to as the left-right direction) and is inclined in the short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the base portion 20, so that the printing plate 11 is leaned at an angle, and a placing portion 24 which places and supports the lower edge of the printing plate 11 leaned against this standing portion 23.

[0019] The receiving table 13 has one side surface in the shorter direction of the base portion 20, which is opposite to the direction in which the upper side of the standing portion 23 is inclined, as a receiving surface 25 that receives the printing plate 11 transferred by the transfer unit 16 into the receiving portion 22. The receiving table 13 is arranged in the receiving table arrangement portion 17 so that the receiving surface 25 faces the plate storage portion 15. The side surface of the base portion 20 on the receiving surface 25 side is made of at least a magnetic material and serves as a held surface. In this embodiment, the base portion 20 is made of a magnetic metal material. The bottom surfaces of the legs 21 are formed flat.

[0020] The plate storage unit 15 also includes a base 31 installed on a floor surface 30. Guide rails 32 and tracks 33 are arranged on the base 31 along the second direction B. The bases 31 of the multiple plate storage units 15 are integrally connected in the second direction B, and the guide rails 32 and tracks 33 are arranged across the multiple connected bases 31.

[0021] The plate storage section 15 is also provided with a holding unit 36 ​​that holds the receiving table 13, which is arranged in the receiving table arrangement section 17, at a predetermined plate storage position (mounting position of the receiving table 13) 35 for storing the printing plate 11 on the receiving table 13. The holding unit 36 ​​includes a detachable holding section 37 that detachably holds the receiving table 13, and a moving section 38 that supports the detachable holding section 37 and moves it in the first direction A.

[0022] The detachable holding unit 37 can be switched between a holding state in which it holds the receiving base 13 and a holding release state in which it releases its hold on the receiving base 13, for example, by air pressure or electric drive. The detachable holding unit 37 can be, for example, a magnetic gripper. The magnetic gripper uses a permanent magnet that generates magnetic force, and by switching and moving the position of the permanent magnet using air pressure, it can be switched between a holding state in which the magnetic force of the permanent magnet acts on the receiving base 13 to attract the receiving base 13, and a holding / unlocking state in which the magnetic force acting on the receiving base 13 is reduced to release its hold on the receiving base 13. A solenoid valve or the like is used to switch the air pressure supplied to the magnetic gripper. Note that the magnetic gripper may be one that switches between the holding state and the holding release state of the receiving base 13 by electrically switching its magnetic poles. Therefore, the detachable holding unit 37 can be switched between the holding state and the holding release state of the receiving base 13 in response to an electric switching operation.

[0023] The detachable holding section 37 is located on the side of the plate storage section 15 facing the receiving platform arrangement section 17, and is positioned opposite two points in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) of the side (held surface) of the base section 20 of the receiving platform 13 arranged in the receiving platform arrangement section 17, and is capable of attracting and holding the two points in the left-right direction of the side of the base section 20 of the receiving platform 13 by magnetic force.

[0024] The detachable holding unit 37 may be, for example, an electromagnet or a suction pad that adheres by negative pressure, or may be a claw mechanism having a claw that hooks onto the receiving base 13, or a hand mechanism that grabs and holds the receiving base 13. In any of these structures, the detachable holding unit 37 may be capable of switching between a holding state and a release state of the receiving base 13 by an electrical switching operation. This electrical switching operation may be performed by directly electrically driving the detachable holding unit 37, or by electrically driving a solenoid valve or the like that switches the air pressure supplied to the detachable holding unit 37, and includes both direct and indirect electrical switching operations.

[0025] The moving unit 38 includes a fixed member 39 attached to the underside of the base 31, a moving member 41 (which may be composed of a plurality of members or a single member) supported so as to be movable along the first direction A via slide mechanisms 40 provided at two locations on the fixed member 39 in the second direction B, arms 42 erected at two locations on the moving member 41 in the second direction B, and a cylinder 43 attached to the fixed member 39 as a drive unit for moving the moving member 41 in the first direction A. A detachable holding unit 37 is attached to the upper end of each arm 42.

[0026] The operation of the cylinder 43 moves the moving member 41 supporting the detachable holding part 37 in the first direction A, and moves the detachable holding part 37 between a first position (advance position) and a second position (retracted position). When moved to the first position (advance position), the detachable holding part 37 can hold the receiving pedestal 13 placed in the receiving pedestal placement part 17, and when moved to the second position (retracted position), the receiving pedestal 13 held by the detachable holding part 37 is placed in the plate storage position 35.

[0027] A receiving table detection sensor 44 is provided on the fixed member 39, which detects whether the receiving table 13 is being held or whether the receiving table 13 is positioned at the plate storage position 35 by detecting the presence or absence of the receiving table 13 when the detachable holding section 37 is moved to the second position (retracted position).

[0028] The loading / unloading unit 16 also includes a movable platform 50. A plurality of wheels 51 are arranged on the underside of the movable platform 50, which rest on the upper surface of the base 31 to support the movable platform 50 and enable it to travel in the second direction B. Guide rollers 52 are arranged on the underside of the movable platform 50 to guide movement in the second direction B along the guide rails 32. A moving mechanism 54 is arranged on the movable platform 50, which has a travel motor 53 and travels on the track 33 of the base 31 to move the movable platform 16 in the second direction B.

[0029] A transfer mechanism 55 is disposed on the movable table 50, which receives the printing plate 11 sent from the platemaking section 12 and transfers it to the receiving table 13. The transfer mechanism 55 includes a transport section 56 that receives the printing plate 11 transported from the platemaking section 12 in the first direction A and transports it to a predetermined position on the front side, which is downstream in the transport direction, a first swinging section 57 that swings the transport section 56 downward around the rear side, which is upstream in the transport direction, as a fulcrum, a transfer section 58 that receives the printing plate 11 from the transport section 56 that has been swung downward and holds it by suction, and a second swinging section 59 that swings the transfer section 58 upward around the front side as a fulcrum.

[0030] The transfer unit 58, which holds the printing plate 11 by suction, is swung upward about the second swinging unit 59 as a fulcrum, whereby the printing plate 11 is converted into an upright position while rotating so as to move forward and downward. This conversion of position tilts the printing plate 11 so that it can be placed against the leaning portion 23 of the receiving portion 22 of the receiving table 13, and the lower edge of the printing plate 11 is positioned above the loading portion 24 of the receiving portion 22. In this state, suction by the transfer unit 58 is released, and the printing plate 11 is transferred to the receiving portion 22 of the receiving table 13.

[0031] The receiving platform placement section 17 also includes a support section 70 that supports the receiving platform 13 to be placed so that it can move horizontally, a positioning mechanism 71 that positions the receiving platform 13 placed on the support section 70 in the second direction B, and an automated guided vehicle entry section 72 that allows an automated guided vehicle 84 (see Figures 1 and 5) to enter.

[0032] The support members 70 are disposed at both sides of the pedestal placement section 17 in the second direction B at a predetermined interval. The bottom surfaces of the legs 21 on both longitudinal sides of the pedestal 13 are placed on the support members 70, which support the pedestal 13 so that it can move horizontally. The support members 70 may, for example, be a plurality of ball rollers 74 attached to the upper surface of an installation member 73 that is installed on the floor 30. The support members 70 support the pedestal 13 so that it can move freely in any horizontal direction, including the first direction A, the second direction B, and directions oblique to these directions. Note that the support members 70 are not limited to ball rollers 74, and may also be, for example, an XY stage or a lubricating member with a small friction coefficient that can slide and move the pedestal 13 placed thereon.

[0033] The positioning mechanism 71 positions the receiving table 13 in the second direction B using one side of the second direction B as a reference. A plurality of positioning rollers 75 serving as a reference are arranged on one side of the second direction B, and a plurality of pressing rollers 76 that are movable in the second direction B toward and away from the positioning rollers 75 are arranged on the other side of the second direction B.

[0034] At least two positioning rollers 75 are used, and are arranged side by side in the first direction A at fixed positions on a mounting table 77. The mounting table 77 is mounted on a mounting member 73.

[0035] At least two pressing rollers 76 are used, and are arranged side by side in the first direction A on the moving unit 78. The moving unit 78 is supported on an installation table 79 so as to be movable in the second direction B along a guide rail 80 arranged in the second direction B, and is moved in the second direction B relative to the installation table 79 by a cylinder (not shown) which is a positioning drive unit arranged in the moving unit 78. The pressing roller 76 of the moving unit 78 moves between an advanced position where the receiving table 13 is sandwiched between the positioning roller 75 and the pressing roller 76 to position it, and a retreated position where the receiving table 13 is released from being sandwiched between the positioning roller 75 and the pressing roller 76. The installation table 79 is installed on the installation member 73.

[0036] Each roller 75, 76 is disposed at a height position that allows it to come into contact with the side surface of the base portion 20 of the receiving table 13 supported on the support portion 70. Each roller 75, 76 is supported so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction around a vertical axis, that is, the circumferential surface of the roller 75, 76 can rotate in the first direction A, and the receiving table 13 is positioned so as to be movable in the first direction A.

[0037] A receiving base stopper 81 is arranged on the installation member 73, on the side opposite to the plate storage section 15 where the detachable holding section 37 is arranged, to abut against the side of the leg 21 of the receiving base 13 placed on the ball roller 74 and regulate its position.

[0038] The distance in the second direction B between the pressing roller 76 and the positioning roller 75 in the retracted position is greater than the longitudinal dimension of the receiving base 13, and the distance in the first direction A between the detachable holding portion 37 in the second position (retracted position) and the receiving base stopper 81 is greater than the transverse dimension of the receiving base 13, making it possible to place or remove the receiving base 13 relative to the receiving base placement portion 17.

[0039] Therefore, in a plan view of the receiving tray placement section 17, the receiving tray placement range in which the receiving tray 13 can be placed is a range larger than the dimensions of the receiving tray 13, and can accommodate variations in the placement position of the receiving tray 13 due to unmanned transport vehicles 84, etc., and further, the receiving tray 13 placed within the receiving tray placement range can be positioned by the positioning mechanism 71 and can be positioned and held at the plate storage position 35 by the holding unit 36.

[0040] A cradle detection sensor 82 that detects the presence or absence of the cradle 13 is disposed in the cradle placement section 17. This cradle detection sensor 82 is disposed on a frame body 83 that is erected on the installation base 77. The positioning mechanism 71 performs positioning operation when the cradle detection sensor 82 detects the cradle 13.

[0041] The positioning mechanism 71 may position the receiving table 13 at a central position by sandwiching the receiving table 13 from both sides in the second direction B. The positioning roller 75 and the pressing roller 76 may be positioning members having lubricity that allows the receiving table 13 to move in the first direction A while in a positioned state.

[0042] The automated guided vehicle entry section 72 is provided on the floor surface 30 between the support sections 70 on both sides by arranging the support sections 70 on both sides with a gap in the second direction B, allowing a lift section 85 of an automated guided vehicle 84 traveling on the floor surface 30 to enter and exit (see FIG. 5). The lift section 85 of the automated guided vehicle 84 comes into contact with the underside of the base section 20 between the legs 21 on both sides of the receiving platform 13 and lifts it up. When the lift section 85 rises, it raises the bottom surfaces of the legs 21 to a position higher than the ball rollers 74 and the receiving platform stoppers 81 of the supports 70, and when the lift section 85 descends, the legs 21 move away from below the base section 20 of the receiving platform 13 placed on the floor surface 30 or the supports 70.

[0043] In addition to the lift unit 85 of the automatic guided vehicle 84, a hand lift for manually transporting the receiving platform 13 and the like can also enter the automatic guided vehicle entrance section 72.

[0044] Next, the operation of the plate processing system 10 will be described.

[0045] As shown in Figure 1, printing plates 11 made in the plate making section 12 are transported to the plate storage device 14. The plate storage device 14 sorts the printing plates 11, for example, by job (order number), and a transfer unit 16 moves to a receiving position for the printing plates 11 from the plate making section 12, receives the printing plates 11 transported from the plate making section 12, and then moves to the plate storage section 15 to which the printing plates 11 are to be sorted, and transfers and stores the printing plates 11 on receiving tables 13 arranged in a receiving table arrangement section 17 of the plate storage section 15 to which the plates are to be sorted.

[0046] When the storage of the printing plates 11 to be stored on the receiving tray 13 is completed, the receiving tray 13 is removed from the receiving tray placement section 17 by the automated guided vehicle 84 and transported to its destination, such as the location of a specified printing press. The next receiving tray 13 to be stored is transported and placed in the receiving tray placement section 17 from which the receiving tray 13 was removed by the automated guided vehicle 84.

[0047] In addition, in the plate storage device 14 equipped with a sorting mechanism, the printing press and the receiving table 13 are linked, so that the printing plates 11 to be used on the printing press are sorted and stored on the receiving table 13 linked to the printing press by the plate storage device 14, and these printing plates 11 are transported to the printing press to which the receiving table 13 on which they are stored is linked.

[0048] Since the printing press uses a plurality of printing plates 11 for printing, by inputting printing plate information into the plate storage device 14, the plurality of printing plates 11 used for each printing operation on the printing press are sorted and collected on a receiving table 13, thereby saving the worker the trouble of sorting the printing plates 11.

[0049] Next, the operation of the plate storage device 14 will be described.

[0050] When an automated guided vehicle 84 carrying a receiving table 13 on which printing plates 11 are stored approaches a predetermined receiving table arrangement section 17, the lift unit 85 of the automated guided vehicle 84 enters the automated guided vehicle entrance section 72 of the receiving table arrangement section 17, and the legs 21 on both sides of the receiving table 13 on the lift unit 85 are positioned above the ball rollers 74 of the support section 70, and the lift unit 85 is lowered so that the legs 21 on both sides of the receiving table 13 are placed on the ball rollers 74 of the support section 70. The automated guided vehicle 84 may move to transport another receiving table 13.

[0051] The receiving base 13 placed in the receiving base placement section 17 is positioned anywhere within the receiving base placement range between the detachable holding section 37 in the first direction A and the receiving base stopper 81, and between the positioning roller 75 and the pressing roller 76 in the second direction B.

[0052] While the receiving pedestal 13 placed in the receiving pedestal placement section 17 is detected by the receiving pedestal detection sensor 82, the pressing roller 76 is advanced, and the base portion 20 of the receiving pedestal 13 is sandwiched between the pressing roller 76 and the positioning roller 75, thereby positioning the position of the receiving pedestal 13 in the second direction B. At this time, the ball rollers 74 supporting the receiving pedestal 13 allow the receiving pedestal 13 to move in any direction in the horizontal direction, so even if the receiving pedestal 13 is placed diagonally between the rollers 75, 76, the receiving pedestal 13 is placed parallel to the rollers 75, 76 and positioned.

[0053] The cylinder 43 of the holding unit 36 ​​advances the detachable holding part 37 from the second position (retracted position) to the first position (advanced position) where it comes into contact with the base 20 of the receiving pedestal 13. The detachable holding part 37 is advanced to a position where it sandwiches the receiving pedestal 13 between itself and the receiving pedestal stopper 81, so that the detachable holding part 37 reliably comes into contact with the base 20 of the receiving pedestal 13 no matter where the detachable holding part 37 is positioned within the receiving pedestal arrangement range.

[0054] By controlling the switching of the detachable holding part 37, the magnetic force of the detachable holding part 37 acts on the base part 20 of the receiving stand 13, attracting and holding the base part 20 of the receiving stand 13.

[0055] The cylinder 43 of the holding unit 36 ​​retracts the detachable holding section 37 from the first position (advance position) to the second position (retracted position), and the receiving table 13 is moved along the first direction A to the plate storage position 35. At this time, the receiving table 13 is sandwiched between the rollers 75 and 76 and positioned and held in the second direction B, but the rollers 75 and 76 rotate as the receiving table 13 moves in the first direction A, so the receiving table 13 is smoothly moved to the plate storage position 35. Furthermore, the ball rollers 74 supporting the receiving table 13 also smoothly move the receiving table 13 to the plate storage position 35.

[0056] The receiving table 13 moved to the plate storage position 35 is sandwiched between the rollers 75 and 76 to be positioned and held in the second direction B, and is positioned and held in the first direction A by the detachable holding portion 37.

[0057] While the receiving table detection sensor 44 detects the receiving table 13 held at the plate storage position 35 , the transfer unit 16 transfers the printing plate 11 onto the receiving table 13 .

[0058] When storing multiple printing plates 11 on one receiving table 13, the printing plates 11 may be stored on the receiving table 13 by shifting the position of the transfer unit 16 in the second direction B. In this case, if one side of the printing plate 11 has a folding portion for mounting it on a printing press, the folding portions can be prevented from overlapping and deforming or damaging the printing plate 11. Furthermore, because the positions of each printing plate 11 are shifted, it is easy to remove the printing plates 11 from the receiving table 13, making it easy to handle the printing plates 11.

[0059] Then, when the storage of the printing plates 11 to be stored on the receiving tray 13 is completed, the detachable holding section 37 is advanced from the second position (retracted position) to the first position (advanced position) by the cylinder 43 of the holding unit 36, and is moved to a removal position by the automatic guided vehicle 84. This removal position is, for example, a position where the receiving tray 13 abuts against the receiving tray stopper 81, or a predetermined position within the receiving tray arrangement range in front of the receiving tray stopper 81.

[0060] By controlling the switching of the detachable holding part 37, the attraction and holding of the receiving base 13 by the magnetic force of the detachable holding part 37 is released. After the attraction and holding is released, the detachable holding part 37 is retracted from the first position (advance position) to the second position (retracted position) by the cylinder 43. Furthermore, the pressing roller 76 is moved to the retracted position, and the holding of the receiving base 13 is released.

[0061] As a result, the tray 13 on which the storage plate 11 has been completed for each job (order number) is automatically taken out from the tray arrangement section 17 and placed in a state where it can be transported.

[0062] Furthermore, once the storage of the printing plate 11 to be stored on the receiving table 13 is completed, the holding of the receiving table 13 can be released by switching control of the detachable holding section 37 while the receiving table 13 is positioned in the plate storage position 35 without operating the cylinder 43 of the holding unit 36.

[0063] When an automated guided vehicle 84 that retrieves a receiving tray 13 for which plate storage has been completed approaches the receiving tray placement section 17, the lift section 85 of the automated guided vehicle 84 enters the automated guided vehicle entry section 72 of the receiving tray placement section 17, the lift section 85 is raised, and the receiving tray 13 is lifted from the support section 70, and the automated guided vehicle 84 moves to transport the receiving tray 13 for which plate storage has been completed from the receiving tray placement section 17 to its destination, such as the location of a specified printing press.

[0064] The plate storage device 14 configured as described above is provided with a detachable holding section 37 that can be switched between a holding state in which the plate is held by the receiving base 13 and a holding release state in which the holding of the receiving base 13 is released, and since the holding of the receiving base 13 can be automatically released, the effort required to detach the receiving base 13 can be reduced and automation can also be achieved when an unmanned guided vehicle 84 is used to transport the receiving base 13.

[0065] Furthermore, the plate storage device 14 includes a moving unit 38 that moves the detachable holding unit 37 between a first position and a second position, holds the receiving tray 13 placed in the receiving tray arrangement unit 17 when the detachable holding unit 37 moves to the first position, and places the receiving tray 13 held by the detachable holding unit 37 at the plate storage position 35 when the device moves to the second position. Therefore, the receiving tray 13 placed in the receiving tray arrangement unit 17 can be held by the detachable holding unit 37 or moved to the plate storage position 35. Moreover, the receiving tray 13 at the plate storage position 35, after plate storage has been completed, can be moved to a removal position where it can be removed from the receiving tray arrangement unit 17.

[0066] Furthermore, the receiving platform placement section 17 has a positioning mechanism 71 that positions the receiving platform 13 in a second direction B that intersects with the first direction A in which the moving section 38 moves the detachable holding section 37, and a support section 70 that supports the receiving platform 13 so that it can move in the first direction A and the second direction B. Therefore, a receiving platform placement range is secured in which the receiving platform 13 can be placed in the receiving platform placement section 17, and it is possible to accommodate variations in the placement position of the receiving platform 13 due to an unmanned transport vehicle 84, etc., and then the receiving platform 13 can be positioned and placed at the plate storage position 35.

[0067] Furthermore, the receiving tray placement section 17 has an automated guided vehicle entry section 72 through which an automated guided vehicle 84 enters, so that the receiving tray 13 storing the printing plates 11 is transported to the receiving tray placement section 17 by the automated guided vehicle 84 entering the automated guided vehicle entry section 72, and the receiving tray 13 with the printing plates 11 stored thereon is transported from the receiving tray placement section 17 to a specified destination, thereby enabling automation of the processing of the printing plates 11.

[0068] Next, a second embodiment is shown in Fig. 8. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] The receiving stand 13 has casters 90 attached to the four corners of the underside of the base portion 20, which can run on the floor surface 30, so that it can also be moved by human power.

[0070] In the receiving platform arrangement section 17 of the plate storage device 14, two lifting mechanisms 91 that support and raise and lower the support parts 70 are installed on the floor surface 30 at a predetermined distance in the second direction B. An automated guided vehicle access section 72 is provided on the floor surface 30 between the two lifting mechanisms 91 and the support parts 70, and caster access sections 92 that allow the casters 90 of the receiving platforms 13 to enter are provided on the floor surface 30 on the outside of each of the two lifting mechanisms 91 and the support parts 70.

[0071] When the gantry 84 is used to place and retrieve the receiving platform 13 from the receiving platform placement section 17 of the plate storage device 14, the lifting mechanism 91 keeps the support section 70 raised at all times. The receiving platform 13, which has been placed in the receiving platform placement section 17 of the plate storage device 14 by the gantry 84, rests on the raised support section 70, the casters 90 are moved upward from the floor 30, and the ball rollers 74 of the support section 70 support the receiving platform 13 so that it can move horizontally. Therefore, the plate storage process is performed on the receiving platform 13 in the same way as in the first embodiment.

[0072] When manually placing the receiving platform 13 in the receiving platform placement section 17 of the plate storage device 14, the support section 70 is lowered by the lifting mechanism 91. When the receiving platform 13, which is movable on the casters 90, is manually placed in the receiving platform placement section 17, the support section 70 is raised by the lifting mechanism 91 and comes into contact with the underside of the base section 20 of the receiving platform 13, lifting the receiving platform 13. By lifting the receiving platform 13, the casters 90 are lifted upward from the floor surface 30, and the ball rollers 74 of the support section 70 support the receiving platform 13 so that it can move horizontally. In this state, the plate storage process is performed on the receiving platform 13, as in the first embodiment described above.

[0073] Furthermore, when the receiving platform 13 is manually removed from the receiving platform placement section 17 of the plate storage device 14 (including when the receiving platform 13 placed in the receiving platform placement section 17 by the automated guided vehicle 84 is manually removed), after the receiving platform 13 is removed from the plate storage section 15, the support section 70 is lowered by the lifting mechanism 91, and the casters 90 of the receiving platform 13, which are lowered together, touch the floor surface 30, and the support section 70 moves downward away from the receiving platform 13. This allows the receiving platform 13 to move on the casters 90, and the receiving platform 13 can be manually removed from the receiving platform placement section 17.

[0074] The plate storage device 14 of the second embodiment configured in this manner also achieves the same effects as the first embodiment described above, and furthermore, the receiving table 13 that can be self-propelled on casters 90 can be handled.

[0075] It is also possible to use one plate storage device 14 to handle both the pedestal 13 having legs 21 of the first embodiment and the pedestal 13 having casters 90 of the second embodiment. In this case, one of the multiple pedestal arrangement sections 17 has the configuration of the pedestal arrangement section 17 of the first embodiment, which allows the pedestal 13 having legs 21 to be arranged, and the remaining multiple pedestal arrangement sections 17 have the configuration of the pedestal arrangement section 17 of the second embodiment, which allows the pedestal 13 having casters 90 to be arranged.

[0076] Furthermore, the detachable holder 37 may hold or release the receiving base 13 by operating a button or the like.

[0077] Although the embodiment of the present invention and its modified examples have been described above, various combinations of configurations, partial omissions, substitutions and modifications are also possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 11 Printing plate 13 Receiving stand 14 Plate storage device 17 cradle placement part 35 Plate storage position 37 Detachable holding part 38 Mobile Unit 70 Support part 71 Positioning mechanism 72 Automated guided vehicle entrance section 82 Receiving table detection sensor 84 Automated Guided Vehicle A. First direction B Second direction

Claims

1. A plate storage device that stores printing plates on a receiving table, a support portion on which the pedestal is placed so as to be movable in a horizontal direction; a detachable holding section that can be switched between a holding state in which the receiving table placed on the support section is held and a holding release state in which the holding of the receiving table is released, and that holds the receiving table at a plate storage position where the printing plate is stored; A plate storage device characterized by:

2. A moving section that moves the detachable holding section between a first position and a second position, and that, when moving to the first position, causes the detachable holding section to hold the receiving table placed on the support section, and that, when moving to the second position, moves the receiving table held by the detachable holding section to the plate storage position.

2. The plate storage device according to claim 1.

3. The moving part has a positioning mechanism that positions the position of the receiving base in a second direction that intersects with a first direction in which the detachable holding part moves between the first position and the second position.

3. The plate storage device according to claim 2.

4. a cradle detection sensor that detects that the cradle is placed on the support portion; When the receiving base detection sensor detects the receiving base, the moving unit moves the detachable holding unit to the first position, and the detachable holding unit switches to a holding state in which it holds the receiving base.

3. The plate storage device according to claim 2.

5. an automated guided vehicle entrance section through which an automated guided vehicle can enter; The receiving table on which the printing plates are stored is placed on the support section by the automated guided vehicle entering the automated guided vehicle entrance section, and the receiving table on which the printing plates are stored is transported from the support section to a predetermined destination.

5. The plate storage device according to claim 1, wherein the plate storage device is a plate storage device.

6. A plate storage device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support part is one of a plurality of ball rollers, an XY stage, or a lubricating member on which the receiving table is placed.

7. A lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the support part, A plate storage device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the support part is raised by the lifting mechanism and the support part lifts the receiving base, the detachable holding part can be controlled to switch between a holding state in which it holds the receiving base and a holding release state in which it releases its hold on the receiving base.

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