Auxiliary device for conveying device, and method for manufacturing planographic printing plate

Abstract

An auxiliary device for a conveying device that takes out a planographic printing plate precursor from a stack in which a plurality of the planographic printing plate precursors are stacked and that conveys the planographic printing plate precursor, includes: a contact portion configured to come into contact with an edge portion of the planographic printing plate precursor to be conveyed by the conveying device, and the contact portion is formed of an elastic member including a plurality of regions that are disposed at different positions on a trajectory of the edge portion.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation of International Application No. PCT / JP2024 / 023564 filed on Jun. 28, 2024, and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-150168 filed on Sep. 15, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The disclosed technology relates to an auxiliary device for a conveying device and a method for manufacturing a planographic printing plate.2. Description of the Related Art

[0003] JP2004-142901A discloses a printing plate removal device including a removal device body that is disposed in an upper region of a printing plate stacked position where a plurality of printing plates are stacked, a suction unit that is supported by the removal device body and that sucks a top printing plate, an elevating unit that elevates the suction unit with respect to the removal device body, and a separation member that is provided on the removal device body and is disposed at a position which is above the suction unit in a case where the suction unit descends to suck the printing plate and at which an edge portion of the printing plate comes into contact in a case where the suction unit ascends after sucking the printing plate.

[0004] JP2008-180868A discloses a method of feeding a planographic printing plate in an automatic plate making machine including an automatic plate feeding mechanism that feeds a planographic printing plate one by one, where a plurality of planographic printing plates are placed on a pallet and a side surface of the planographic printing plate is subjected to a surface treatment, the method including blowing compressed air toward the side surface of the planographic printing plate subjected to the surface treatment on the pallet by an air blowing unit.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An object of the disclosed technology is to enable one planographic printing plate precursor to be taken out from a stack of a plurality of planographic printing plate precursors.

[0006] An auxiliary device for a conveying device according to one embodiment of the disclosed technology is an auxiliary device for a conveying device that takes out a planographic printing plate precursor from a stack in which a plurality of the planographic printing plate precursors are stacked and that conveys the planographic printing plate precursor, the auxiliary device comprising a contact portion configured to come into contact with an edge portion of the planographic printing plate precursor to be conveyed by the conveying device, in which the contact portion is formed of an elastic member including a plurality of regions that are disposed at different positions on a trajectory of the edge portion.

[0007] A method for manufacturing a planographic printing plate according to one embodiment of the disclosed technology includes a first step of disposing an elastic member at a position not in contact with a stack in which a plurality of planographic printing plate precursors are stacked, a second step of taking out the planographic printing plate precursor from the stack and conveying the planographic printing plate precursor to an exposure device, and a third step of developing the planographic printing plate precursor exposed by the exposure device to prepare a planographic printing plate, in which, in the first step, the elastic member is disposed at a plurality of positions on a trajectory of an edge portion of the planographic printing plate precursor to be conveyed in the second step, and in the second step, the edge portion of the planographic printing plate precursor is brought into contact with the elastic member.

[0008] According to the disclosed technology, one planographic printing plate precursor can be taken out and conveyed from a stack of a plurality of planographic printing plate precursors.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a schematic configuration of a printing system 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing a detailed configuration of a conveying device 10 shown in FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of an auxiliary device 60.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state in which the auxiliary device 60 is mounted on the conveying device 10.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which a support member 62 is rotated clockwise with respect to a standing portion 63Z from the state shown in FIG. 4.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an auxiliary device 60A that is a first modification example of the auxiliary device 60.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an auxiliary device 60B that is a second modification example of the auxiliary device 60.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an auxiliary device 60C that is a third modification example of the auxiliary device 60.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of an auxiliary device 60D that is a fourth modification example of the auxiliary device 60.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a state in which the auxiliary device 60D is mounted on the conveying device 10.DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a schematic configuration of a printing system 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. The printing system 100 treats a planographic printing plate precursor to prepare a planographic printing plate, and prints a character, an image, or the like on a paper surface using the planographic printing plate.

[0020] The planographic printing plate precursor is formed with an image forming layer (a photosensitive layer or a heat-sensitive layer) on a surface treatment layer formed by performing mechanical, chemical, and electrochemical treatments on a surface of a metal support made of thin aluminum or the like formed in a rectangular plate shape. The image forming layer is subjected to a plate making treatment such as an exposure treatment, a development treatment (development and water washing), and a gumming treatment, and ink is applied to the planographic printing plate precursor after the plate making treatment, whereby a character, an image, or the like is printed on the paper surface. In recent years, the gumming treatment has been omitted, and the development treatment and the ink application are performed at the same time.

[0021] In the present specification, the planographic printing plate precursor in a state in which the development treatment is performed is defined as a planographic printing plate. In addition, a surface on which the image forming layer is formed in the planographic printing plate precursor is referred to as an image forming surface, and a surface on which the image forming layer is not formed is referred to as a non-image forming surface. There is a so-called double-sided product in which both surfaces are image forming surfaces depending on the type of the planographic printing plate precursor, but here, as an example, only one surface is an image forming surface.

[0022] The printing system 100 includes the conveying device 10, an exposure device 20, and a printing device 30.

[0023] The conveying device 10 includes, for example, a rectangular plate-shaped pallet 11 and a space for accommodating the pallet 11. A stack 40 in which a plurality of planographic printing plate precursors 41 are stacked is placed on a surface 11S of the pallet 11. The surface 11S forms a placement surface on which the stack 40 is placed. The stack 40 is configured by stacking the plurality of planographic printing plate precursors 41 in a state in which the non-image forming surfaces of the planographic printing plate precursors 41 face the pallet 11 side.

[0024] A paperless stack 40 in which no paper is interposed between the planographic printing plate precursors 41 is preferably used as the stack 40. However, the disclosed technology is not excluded from being applied to a stack 40 in which paper is interposed between the planographic printing plate precursors 41. In the paperless stack 40, the paper is not required because a treatment such as roughening the non-image forming surface of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 is performed. The disclosed technology is particularly effective for the paperless stack 40 of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 that is not subjected to the roughening treatment on the non-image forming surface or the stack 40 of the on-press development type unprocessed printing plate that can perform the development treatment and the ink application at the same time. Examples of such a stack 40 include a product name SUPERIA ZX-W manufactured by FUJIFILM Corporation.

[0025] The conveying device 10 takes out one planographic printing plate precursor 41 from the stack 40 and conveys the planographic printing plate precursor 41 to the exposure device 20. More specifically, the conveying device 10 lifts and conveys the planographic printing plate precursor 41S on a surface opposite to the surface 11S in the stack 40 in a thickness direction of the planographic printing plate precursor 41S (in other words, a stacking direction of the planographic printing plate precursors 41 in the stack 40).

[0026] The exposure device 20 performs the exposure treatment on the one planographic printing plate precursor 41 conveyed by the conveying device 10. Various exposure methods can be adopted. The conveying device 10 and the exposure device 20 may be configured as separate devices or may be configured as one integrated device.

[0027] The printing device 30 performs the development treatment, the ink application, and the like on the planographic printing plate precursor 41 after the exposure treatment by the exposure device 20, and prints a character, an image, or the like on the paper surface. It should be noted that the printing device 30 performs the development treatment and the ink application at the same time, but a processing device may be provided between the exposure device 20 and the printing device 30, and the processing device may perform processing necessary for printing, such as the development treatment and the gumming treatment.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing a detailed configuration of the conveying device 10 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the stacking direction of the planographic printing plate precursors 41 is shown as a direction Z, a direction of the pallet 11 side in the direction Z is shown as a direction Z2, and an opposite direction of the direction Z2 is shown as a direction Z1. The thickness direction of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 and the direction Z match. In a case where the surface 11S is a flat surface, the direction Z is a direction perpendicular to the surface 11S.

[0029] In FIG. 2, a direction in which the planographic printing plate precursor 41 is conveyed by the conveying device 10 is shown as a direction X1, and an opposite direction of the direction X1 is shown as a direction X2. The directions X1 and X2 are collectively referred to as a direction X. The directions X and Z intersect (in the example of FIG. 2, orthogonal). In FIG. 2, a direction Y intersecting the directions X and Z (in the example of FIG. 2, orthogonal) is shown. In a plan view as viewed in the direction Z, the planographic printing plate precursor 41 has a rectangular shape including a first side and a second side that extend in the direction Y and are arranged in the direction X, a third side that extends in the direction X and connects one end edge of the first side and one end edge of the second side, and a fourth side that extends in the direction X and connects the other end edge of the first side and the other end edge of the second side. A planar shape of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 is not limited thereto.

[0030] The conveying device 10 includes a frame 12 disposed on the direction Z1 side with respect to the pallet 11, a first suction portion 13 supported by the frame 12, a second suction portion 14 supported by the frame 12, and a registration portion 15 on which the conveyed planographic printing plate precursor 41 is placed and at which the registration is performed.

[0031] The first suction portion 13 can come into contact with the surface of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 and suction-hold the surface, and is formed of various means such as a suction cup formed of polyurethane or the like. The first suction portion 13 is configured to be movable in the direction Z by a lifting mechanism (not shown). As the lifting mechanism, various linear motion means (a cylinder unit, a combination of a motor and a linear stage, and the like) can be adopted. The first suction portion 13 is disposed at a position at which the first suction portion 13 can come into contact with an end part of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 placed on the pallet 11 on the direction X2 side in a case of descending. It is preferable that the first suction portion 13 is disposed in plurality along the side of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 on the direction X2 side, but at least one first suction portion 13 may be disposed.

[0032] The second suction portion 14 can come into contact with the surface of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 and suction-hold the surface, and is formed of various means such as a suction cup formed of polyurethane or the like. The second suction portion 14 is configured to be movable in the direction Z by a lifting mechanism (not shown). As the lifting mechanism, various linear motion means can be adopted. The second suction portion 14 is disposed at a position at which the second suction portion 14 can come into contact with an end part of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 placed on the pallet 11 on the direction X1 side in a case of descending. It is preferable that the second suction portion 14 is disposed in plurality along the side of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 on the direction X1 side, but at least one second suction portion 14 may be disposed. The second suction portion 14 is supported by the frame 12 to be movable along the direction X. The second suction portion 14 is configured to be movable between a position at which the second suction portion 14 can come into contact with the planographic printing plate precursor 41 and a position (a position indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 2) at which the planographic printing plate precursor 41 can be placed on the registration portion 15.

[0033] The conveying device 10 includes a control unit (not shown), and the control unit controls the lifting of the first suction portion 13 and the second suction portion 14, the movement of the second suction portion 14 in the direction X, and the like.

[0034] An operation of the conveying device 10 to convey the planographic printing plate precursor 41 is, for example, as follows. First, from the state shown in FIG. 2, the first suction portion 13 is lowered to bring the first suction portion 13 into contact with the image forming surface of the planographic printing plate precursor 41S, and the end part of the planographic printing plate precursor 41S on the direction X2 side is suction-held. In this state, the first suction portion 13 is raised to lift the planographic printing plate precursor 41S from the direction X2 side. Thereafter, the second suction portion 14 is lowered to bring the second suction portion 14 into contact with the image forming surface of the planographic printing plate precursor 41S, and the end part of the planographic printing plate precursor 41S on the direction X1 side is suction-held. In this state, the first suction portion 13 is raised to release the suction-holding of the end part of the planographic printing plate precursor 41S on the direction X2 side, and the second suction portion 14 is moved in the direction X1 to convey the planographic printing plate precursor 41S to the registration portion 15. After the planographic printing plate precursor 41S is conveyed to the registration portion 15, the second suction portion 14 is raised and moved in the direction X2 to return to the initial position. The above operation is repeatedly performed.

[0035] In the conveying device 10, in a case of lifting the planographic printing plate precursor 41S in the direction Z1, the planographic printing plate precursor 41S and the adjacent planographic printing plate precursor 41 may be simultaneously lifted while being in close contact with each other. In a case where so-called multiple plate feeding in which the two planographic printing plate precursors 41 are conveyed to the registration portion 15 while being in close contact with each other occurs, the planographic printing plate precursor 41 on a side that does not directly come into contact with the second suction portion 14 during the conveying may fall off, or the two planographic printing plate precursors 41 may be disposed at the registration portion 15, which affects the efficiency of the printing step. In the printing system 100, in order to prevent such multiple plate feeding, the auxiliary device 60 can be additionally provided for the conveying device 10. The auxiliary device 60 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the conveying device 10.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of the auxiliary device 60. In the example of FIG. 3, the auxiliary device 60 includes an L-shaped base 63, a plurality of (three in the example of FIG. 3) support members 62 supported by the base 63, and an elastic member 61 supported by the support member 62. The base 63 and the support member 62 form a support portion 64 that supports the elastic member 61.

[0037] The base 63 includes a columnar bottom portion 63Y and a columnar standing portion 63Z that is erected from one end of the bottom portion 63Y A recess portion 63A is provided in the standing portion 63Z along a direction in which the standing portion 63Z extends.

[0038] In the example of FIG. 3, the support member 62 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is provided with an engagement portion (not shown) that engages with the recess portion 63A. The support member 62 is supported by the standing portion 63Z via the engagement portion. The three support members 62 are supported in a state of being arranged at intervals along the recess portion 63A. Each of the three support members 62 is configured to be able to change an engagement position with respect to the recess portion 63A. It should be noted that the three support members 62 are not required to be separate members and may be formed of one integrated member.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state in which the auxiliary device 60 is mounted on the conveying device 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the auxiliary device 60 is mounted on a region adjacent to the stack 40 on the direction X2 side on the surface 11S. In a case where the pallet 11 is made of metal, the auxiliary device 60 can be mounted on the pallet 11 by a magnetic force by providing a magnet on a surface of the bottom portion 63Y facing the surface 11S. The bottom portion 63Y of the auxiliary device 60 can also be mounted on the pallet 11 by a double-sided tape without using the magnetic force. A method of making the auxiliary device 60 attachable to and detachable from the pallet 11 is not limited to these, but according to a configuration using the magnetic force, the auxiliary device 60 can be easily attached to and detached from the pallet 11.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the auxiliary device 60 is mounted on the pallet 11 such that a direction in which the bottom portion 63Y extends substantially matches the direction Y and a direction in which the standing portion 63Z extends substantially matches the direction Z. Since the three support members 62 are engaged with the recess portion 63A extending in the direction Z, the three support members 62 are arranged in the direction Z in the mounting state shown in FIG. 4. The three support members 62 can change a position in the direction Z by changing the engagement position with respect to the recess portion 63A.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the elastic member 61 is supported by a surface of the support member 62 on the direction X1 side and has a plate shape in which a thickness direction substantially matches the direction Z. The elastic member 61 is not particularly limited in terms of material as long as it has elasticity. The elastic member 61 is formed of, for example, a resin, a metal, or wood (preferably bamboo). It should be noted that, although the details will be described later, since the elastic member 61 can come into contact with the planographic printing plate precursor 41, in consideration of preventing the planographic printing plate precursor 41 from being scratched in a case of coming into contact with the planographic printing plate precursor 41, the elastic member 61 is preferably configured to have lower rigidity than the planographic printing plate precursor 41. The elastic member 61 is particularly preferably formed of a resin, and a surface fastener formed of a resin such as polyester can be more preferably used. The material of the support member 62 may be any material as long as the elastic member 61 can be supported, and for example, a metal or a resin can be adopted. In the example of FIG. 4, the lengths of the three elastic members 61 in the direction X are the same.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a trajectory 40T through which the edge portion 41E of the planographic printing plate precursor 41S on the direction X2 side passes in a case of lifting the planographic printing plate precursor 41S by the first suction portion 13. The auxiliary device 60 is disposed with respect to the stack 40 such that each elastic member 61 has a region (a portion where the trajectory 40T and the elastic member 61 intersect in FIG. 4) in which the elastic member 61 is disposed on the trajectory 40T. In other words, each of the three elastic members 61 has a region that intersects the trajectory 40T. It should be noted that, in order for the three elastic members 61 to have the region that intersects the trajectory 40T, at least the edge portion of each elastic member 61 on the direction X1 side needs to be positioned on the direction X1 side with respect to the edge portion of the stack 40 on the direction X2 side. That is, in a state as viewed in the direction Z, the edge portion of the stack 40 on the direction X2 side and the elastic member 61 need to partially overlap with each other. As described above, the three elastic members 61 form a contact portion that is configured to directly come into contact with the edge portion 41E of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 passing through the trajectory 40T. In addition, each elastic member 61 is disposed at a position not in contact with the stack 40 in a state before the conveying operation by the first suction portion 13 is started. Specifically, each elastic member 61 is disposed on the direction Z1 side with respect to the planographic printing plate precursor 41S on the outermost surface in the stack 40.

[0043] In a case where the auxiliary device 60 having the above-described configuration is mounted on the pallet 11, since the three elastic members 61 are arranged and disposed along the trajectory 40T, in a process of lifting the planographic printing plate precursor 41 from the stack 40 by the first suction portion 13, the edge portion 41E of the lifted planographic printing plate precursor 41 sequentially comes into contact with the three elastic members 61. A case is assumed in which the two planographic printing plate precursors 41 are simultaneously lifted while being in close contact with each other. In this case, since the elastic member 61 is deformed in a manner following the movement of the edge portion 41E of the planographic printing plate precursor 41, an appropriate contact force can be applied to the edge portions 41E of the two planographic printing plate precursors 41 from the elastic member 61. In addition, after the two planographic printing plate precursors 41 pass through the elastic member 61, the elastic member 61 starts to return to the original position by the elastic force, so that a contact force that pushes down the planographic printing plate precursor 41 on the direction Z2 side from the elastic member 61 acts on the two planographic printing plate precursors 41. Due to these actions, even in a case where the two planographic printing plate precursors 41 are in close contact with each other, the close contact can be released to separate the two planographic printing plate precursors 41. As described above, by using the auxiliary device 60, the multiple plate feeding can be prevented.

[0044] In the auxiliary device 60 shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of elastic members 61 are supported by the support portion 64 in a state of being along the trajectory 40T. Therefore, the separation action of the two planographic printing plate precursors 41 by the elastic member 61 occurs a plurality of times. As a result, the planographic printing plate precursor 41S and the planographic printing plate precursor 41 in close contact with the planographic printing plate precursor 41S can be separated with high accuracy by lifting the planographic printing plate precursor 41S only once. It should be noted that the planographic printing plate precursor 41S and the planographic printing plate precursor 41 in close contact with the planographic printing plate precursor 41S can be separated with high accuracy by repeating the lifting operation of the planographic printing plate precursor 41S by the first suction portion 13 a plurality of times.

[0045] According to the auxiliary device 60, since the elastic member 61 can be deformed to follow the movement of the planographic printing plate precursor 41, the damage to the planographic printing plate precursor 41 can be prevented. For example, by configuring the elastic member 61 to have lower rigidity than the planographic printing plate precursor 41, the damage to the planographic printing plate precursor 41 can be more effectively prevented. In a case where the planographic printing plate precursor 41 is an unprocessed printing plate that can perform the development treatment and the ink application at the same time, the present embodiment is particularly effective because the planographic printing plate precursor 41 is likely to be scratched.

[0046] In addition, since the elastic member 61 can be deformed to follow the movement of the planographic printing plate precursor 41, a force that pushes down the planographic printing plate precursor 41 on the direction Z2 side can be reduced in a case where the elastic member 61 and the planographic printing plate precursor 41 are in contact with each other. As a result, in a case where the elastic member 61 and the planographic printing plate precursor 41S are in contact with each other, the suction-holding of the planographic printing plate precursor 41S by the first suction portion 13 can be prevented from being released, and the planographic printing plate precursor 41 can be efficiently conveyed.

[0047] In addition, in the auxiliary device 60, even in a case where the planographic printing plate precursor 41 separated by the action of the elastic member 61 falls and the falling planographic printing plate precursor 41 and the elastic member 61 come into contact with each other, the elastic member 61 is deformed by the weight of the planographic printing plate precursor 41. Therefore, the return of the separated planographic printing plate precursor 41 to the surface of the stack 40 is not hindered. That is, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the fallen planographic printing plate precursor 41 rides on the elastic member 61 and does not return to the original position. As a result, it is not necessary to stop the conveying step of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 in the middle, and the printing can be efficiently performed.

[0048] In a case where the step of taking out the planographic printing plate precursor 41 from the stack 40 and conveying the planographic printing plate precursor 41 is repeated, the height of the stack 40 in the direction Z decreases. In the auxiliary device 60, the support position of the support member 62 in the standing portion 63Z is changeable in the direction Z. That is, the support portion 64 is configured to change a distance between the elastic member 61 and the surface 11S. The distance between the elastic member 61 and the surface 11S can be defined, for example, by a distance between a centroid of the elastic member 61 in the direction Z and the surface 11S. With such a configuration, even in a case where the height of the stack 40 is reduced and the trajectory 40T and the elastic member 61 do not intersect at the position of the support member 62 shown in FIG. 4, the position of the support member 62 can be brought close to the surface 11S to reduce the distance between the elastic member 61 and the surface 11S, so that the state in which the trajectory 40T and the elastic member 61 intersect can be maintained.

[0049] The structure of the conveying device 10, the size, the height, and the like of the stack 40 used are various, and various shapes of the trajectory 40T are assumed. By making the distance between the elastic member 61 and the surface 11S changeable, the elastic member 61 can be disposed on any trajectory 40T, and the multiple plate feeding can be prevented under various conditions.

[0050] In the auxiliary device 60, the support portion 64 may be configured to change an angle of the elastic member 61 with respect to the surface 11S. The angle of the elastic member 61 with respect to the surface 11S can be defined, for example, by an angle between a straight line connecting an end edge of the elastic member 61 on the direction X2 side and the direction Z2 side and an end edge of the elastic member 61 on the direction X1 side and the direction Z2 side and the surface 11S in a state as viewed in the direction Y With such a configuration, the elastic member 61 can be disposed on any trajectory 40T, and the multiple plate feeding can be prevented under various conditions. In the present specification, a concept including the distance between the elastic member 61 and the surface 11S and the angle of the elastic member 61 with respect to the surface 11S is defined as a position of the elastic member 61 with respect to the surface 11S.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a view showing a state (a state in which the angle of the elastic member 61 with respect to the surface 11S is changed) in which the support member 62 is rotated clockwise with respect to the standing portion 63Z from the state shown in FIG. 4. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the three elastic members 61 are supported by the support portion 64 in a state of being arranged in a direction intersecting the stacking direction (direction Z) of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 in the stack 40. According to the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the planographic printing plate precursor 41S can be brought into contact with substantially the same position of each of the three elastic members 61. That is, the contact force with respect to the planographic printing plate precursor 41S can be evenly applied by the three elastic members 61, and the separation effect can be increased.

[0052] In the auxiliary device 60, the support member 62 may be attachable to and detachable from the standing portion 63Z. In this way, in a case where the elastic member 61 is worn, the elastic member 61 can be replaced with a new one.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the auxiliary device 60 is disposed adjacent to the upstream side of the stack 40 in the conveying direction of the planographic printing plate precursor 41. In this manner, the planographic printing plate precursor 41 can be easily conveyed by the second suction portion 14.

[0054] By disposing the auxiliary device 60 adjacent to any one side of the four sides of the stack 40 in a state as viewed in the direction Z, the above-described prevention of the multiple plate feeding can be achieved.

[0055] It is preferable that a plurality of auxiliary devices 60 are disposed. For example, the auxiliary device 60 may be disposed adjacent to each of the four sides of the stack 40. In addition, the auxiliary device 60 may be disposed in plurality adjacent to at least one side of the four sides of the stack 40 along the one side. For example, in FIG. 4, one more auxiliary device 60 may be disposed on the back side of the paper surface. By disposing a plurality of auxiliary devices 60, the effect of preventing the multiple plate feeding can be increased.

[0056] It is preferable that, in a state as viewed in the direction Z, the elastic member 61 is within a region of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 that comes into contact with a clamping portion of the printing device 30 in a case where the planographic printing plate precursor 41 is set in the printing device 30. As a result, even in a case where the elastic member 61 comes into contact with the region and is scratched, the influence on the printing can be reduced.

[0057] In the auxiliary device 60, the lengths of the three elastic members 61 in the direction X are the same, but the lengths may be different from each other. For example, a configuration in which the elastic member 61 in the middle of the three elastic members 61 in FIG. 4 is shorter than the lengths of the other two elastic members 61, a configuration in which the elastic member 61 at the bottom of the three elastic members 61 in FIG. 4 is shorter than the lengths of the other two elastic members 61, or the like may be adopted.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an auxiliary device 60A that is a first modification example of the auxiliary device 60. The auxiliary device 60A differs from the auxiliary device 60 only in that the lengths of the three elastic members 61 in the direction X are different from each other. In the auxiliary device 60A, the lengths of the three elastic members 61 in the direction X increase from the direction Z2 toward the direction Z1. According to the auxiliary device 60A, the contact force with respect to the planographic printing plate precursor 41S can be substantially equalized by the three elastic members 61, and the separation effect can be increased. In addition, even in a case where the lifting operation of the planographic printing plate precursor 41S by the first suction portion 13 is repeated a plurality of times, the operation can be smoothly performed.

[0059] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an auxiliary device 60B that is a second modification example of the auxiliary device 60. The auxiliary device 60B has the same configuration as the auxiliary device 60, except that the three support members 62 are changed to a single support member 62A and the elastic member 61 is changed to a linear elastic member 61A.

[0060] The elastic member 61A is supported by an end surface of the rectangular parallelepiped support member 62A on the direction X1 side and has a linear and columnar shape extending from the end surface in the direction X1. A plurality of elastic members 61A are supported by the end surface of the support member 62A on the direction X1 side. The plurality of elastic members 61A are arranged in the direction Z to form a plurality of elastic member rows, and the elastic member rows are arranged in the direction Y, so that the plurality of elastic members 61A are two-dimensionally disposed as viewed in the direction X. The elastic member 61A and the support member 62A are configured as a so-called brush. All of the elastic members 61A included in the auxiliary device 60B include a region disposed on the trajectory 40T. The elastic member 61A may be any material as long as it has elasticity as in the elastic member 61, and is more preferably formed of a fiber. From the viewpoint of suppressing the scratch on the planographic printing plate precursor 41, a nylon fiber can be preferably used. It should be noted that all of the elastic members 61A included in the auxiliary device 60B need not include a region disposed on the trajectory 40T, and a configuration may be adopted in which some of the elastic members 61A do not include a region disposed on the trajectory 40T.

[0061] According to the auxiliary device 60B, the same effect as that of the auxiliary device 60 can be obtained. In addition, according to the auxiliary device 60B, since the elastic member 61A has a linear shape, the extending direction (posture) of the elastic member 61A can be easily maintained as compared with the elastic member 61. In addition, according to the auxiliary device 60B, since the planographic printing plate precursor 41 can be separated by the aggregate of the elastic members 61A, the stress from each elastic member 61A to the planographic printing plate precursor 41 can be reduced, and the scratch on the planographic printing plate precursor 41 can be prevented.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an auxiliary device 60C that is a third modification example of the auxiliary device 60. The auxiliary device 60C has a configuration in which the support member 62A is rotated clockwise from the state of FIG. 7, and the angle of the elastic member 61A with respect to the surface 11S is changed from FIG. 7. The plurality of elastic members 61A forming the elastic member row in the auxiliary device 60C are supported by the support portion 64 in a state of being arranged in a direction intersecting the stacking direction (direction Z) of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 in the stack 40. According to the auxiliary device 60C, the contact force with respect to the planographic printing plate precursor 41 can be substantially equalized by all of the elastic members 61A, and the separation effect can be increased. In addition, even in a case where the lifting operation of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 by the first suction portion 13 is repeated a plurality of times, the operation can be smoothly performed. It should be noted that, in the auxiliary devices 60B and 60C, the elastic member rows in which the plurality of elastic members 61A are arranged in the direction Z are arranged in plurality in the direction Y, but the elastic member row may be only one.

[0063] FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of an auxiliary device 60D that is a fourth modification example of the auxiliary device 60. The auxiliary device 60D has a configuration in which, in the auxiliary device 60 shown in FIG. 3, the middle one of the three support members 62 is deleted, and the elastic member 61 is changed to a band-shaped elastic member 61B. One end 611 of the elastic member 61B in the longitudinal direction is supported by the support member 62 on the upper side in FIG. 9, and the other end 612 of the elastic member 61B in the longitudinal direction is supported by the support member 62 on the lower side in FIG. 9. As described above, the elastic member 61B is supported by the support member 62 in a curved state. The material of the elastic member 61B is the same as that of the elastic member 61.

[0064] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a state in which the auxiliary device 60D is mounted on the conveying device 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the elastic member 61B is supported by the support member 62 in a state of straddling the trajectory 40T in the longitudinal direction, and is disposed in a state of intersecting the trajectory 40T at two locations. That is, the elastic member 61B has a configuration in which two regions (regions overlapping the trajectory 40T in FIG. 10) disposed on the trajectory 40T are provided.

[0065] In the auxiliary device 60D, in a process of simultaneously lifting the two planographic printing plate precursors 41, the edge portion 41E of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 continues to come into contact with a portion of the elastic member 61B that protrudes to the direction X1 side with respect to the trajectory 40T. As a result, an appropriate contact force can be applied from the elastic member 61B to the planographic printing plate precursor 41, and the same effect as that of the auxiliary device 60 can be obtained.

[0066] In the auxiliary devices 60 and 60A, by appropriately adjusting a momentary maximum contact force F1 between the elastic member 61 and the planographic printing plate precursor 41 (maximum value of a force applied from the elastic member 61 to the planographic printing plate precursor 41 during a period in which the elastic member 61 is in contact with the planographic printing plate precursor 41), various effects such as the prevention of the multiple plate feeding, the prevention of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 from riding on the elastic member 61, the prevention of the scratch on the planographic printing plate precursor 41, and the prevention of the release of the suction-holding of the first suction portion 13 can be obtained.

[0067] In the auxiliary devices 60B and 60C, by appropriately adjusting a momentary maximum contact force F2 between the aggregate of the elastic members 61A and the planographic printing plate precursor 41 (maximum value of a force applied from the aggregate of the elastic members 61A to the planographic printing plate precursor 41 during a period in which the aggregate of the elastic members 61A is in contact with the planographic printing plate precursor 41), various effects described above can be obtained.

[0068] In the auxiliary device 60D, by appropriately adjusting a momentary maximum contact force F3 between the elastic member 61B and the planographic printing plate precursor 41 (maximum value of a force applied from the elastic member 61B to the planographic printing plate precursor 41 during a period in which the elastic member 61B is in contact with the planographic printing plate precursor 41), various effects described above can be obtained.

[0069] The momentary maximum contact force F1 between the elastic member 61 and the planographic printing plate precursor 41 is determined by the thickness of the elastic member 61, the length in the direction X, the length in the direction Y, and the material. The momentary maximum contact force F2 between the aggregate of the elastic members 61A and the planographic printing plate precursor 41 is determined by the thickness (outer diameter) of the elastic member 61A, the length of the elastic member 61A, the density of the elastic member 61A, and the material of the elastic member 61A. The momentary maximum contact force F3 between the elastic member 61B and the planographic printing plate precursor 41 is determined by the thickness of the elastic member 61B, the length in the longitudinal direction, the length in the direction Y, and the material.

[0070] As a result of intensive studies, it has been found that the various effects can be enhanced by configuring the momentary maximum contact force F1, the momentary maximum contact force F2, and the momentary maximum contact force F3 to be 0.2 N (Newton) or more and 10 N or less.

[0071] In the auxiliary devices 60B and 60C, the outer diameter of the elastic member 61A is preferably 0.05 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less, and more preferably 0.05 mm or more and 0.2 mm or less. In addition, the length of the elastic member 61A is preferably 20 mm or more and 100 mm or less. In addition, the length of the elastic member row in the direction Z is preferably 10 mm or more, and more preferably 20 mm or more. By adopting these numerical values, the momentary maximum contact force F2 can be set to 0.2 N or more and 10 N or less. It should be noted that, in consideration of the installation restriction, the length of the elastic member row in the direction Z is preferably 100 mm or less, and more preferably 60 mm or less.

[0072] The auxiliary device 60 and the auxiliary devices 60A to 60D described above are each mounted on the pallet 11, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the auxiliary device 60 and the auxiliary devices 60A to 60D may be configured to be mounted on the frame 12 shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the auxiliary device 60 and the auxiliary devices 60A to 60D are each configured to be attachable to and detachable from the conveying device 10, but may be fixed to the conveying device 10 and configured to be not detachable from the conveying device 10.

[0073] The auxiliary device 60 and the auxiliary devices 60A to 60D described above are used in a case of conveying the stack 40 of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 before the development treatment to the exposure device 20, but the usage form thereof is not limited thereto. For example, even in a case where the planographic printing plate precursor 41 after the exposure treatment is temporarily stacked and then one planographic printing plate precursor 41 is taken out from the stack of the planographic printing plate precursor 41 after the exposure treatment and conveyed to the printing device 30, the multiple plate feeding can be prevented by using the auxiliary device 60 or the auxiliary devices 60A to 60D during the conveying.

[0074] Next, Examples will be described.Example 1

[0075] The auxiliary device 60 having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 was mounted on the pallet 11 of the conveying device 10, and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was conveyed by the conveying device 10. As the planographic printing plate precursor P1, a product name SUPERIA ZX-W manufactured by FUJIFILM Corporation was used. The planographic printing plate precursor P1 is a so-called on-press development type unprocessed printing plate. In the auxiliary device 60, the momentary maximum contact force between the elastic member 61 and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was 1.5 N. In Examples 1 to 12, the measurement of the momentary maximum contact force between the elastic member and the planographic printing plate precursor was performed by a push-pull gauge mounted on the surface of the planographic printing plate precursor. In addition, the thickness of the elastic member 61 in the device (described as the length in the lifting direction in the table) was 3 mm.Example 2

[0076] A device was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the three elastic members 61 in the auxiliary device 60 having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 were appropriately changed, the device was mounted on the pallet 11 of the conveying device 10, and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was conveyed by the conveying device 10. In the auxiliary device 60, the momentary maximum contact force between the elastic member 61 and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was 0.2 N. In addition, the thickness of the elastic member 61 in the device (described as the length in the lifting direction in the table) was 3 mm.Example 3

[0077] The auxiliary device 60D having the configuration shown in FIG. 10 was mounted on the pallet 11 of the conveying device 10, and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was conveyed by the conveying device 10. In the auxiliary device 60D, the momentary maximum contact force between the elastic member 61B and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was 5 N. The distance between both ends of the elastic member 61B in the auxiliary device 60D (described as the length in the lifting direction in the table) was 60 mm.Example 4

[0078] The auxiliary device 60B having the configuration shown in FIG. 7 was mounted on the pallet 11 of the conveying device 10, and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was conveyed by the conveying device 10. In the auxiliary device 60B, the momentary maximum contact force between the aggregate of the elastic members 61A and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was 10 N. The outer diameter of each elastic member 61A in the auxiliary device 60B was 0.2 mm, and the length of the elastic member row in the direction in which the elastic members 61A were arranged (length in the lifting direction in the table) was 60 mm.Example 5

[0079] The auxiliary device 60C having the configuration shown in FIG. 8 was mounted on the frame 12 of the conveying device 10, and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was conveyed by the conveying device 10. In the auxiliary device 60C, the momentary maximum contact force between the aggregate of the elastic members 61A and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was 3 N. The configuration of each elastic member 61A in the auxiliary device 60C was the same as that in Example 4.Example 6

[0080] The planographic printing plate precursor P1 was conveyed in the same manner as in Example 5, except that the auxiliary device 60C having the configuration of Example 5 was mounted on the pallet 11 of the conveying device 10.Example 7

[0081] The planographic printing plate precursor P1 was conveyed in the same manner as in Example 6, except that the momentary maximum contact force between the aggregate of the elastic members 61A and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was 0.5 N, and the outer diameter of the elastic member 61A was 0.05 mm.Example 8

[0082] The planographic printing plate precursor P1 was conveyed in the same manner as in Example 6, except that the momentary maximum contact force between the aggregate of the elastic members 61A and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was 1.5 N, and the outer diameter of the elastic member 61A was 0.1 mm.Example 9

[0083] The planographic printing plate precursor P1 was conveyed in the same manner as in Example 6, except that the momentary maximum contact force between the aggregate of the elastic members 61A and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was 2 N, and the length of the elastic member row in the direction in which the elastic members 61A were arranged (length in the lifting direction in the table) was 40 mm.Example 10

[0084] The planographic printing plate precursor P1 was conveyed in the same manner as in Example 6, except that the momentary maximum contact force between the aggregate of the elastic members 61A and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was 0.2 N, and the length of the elastic member row in the direction in which the elastic members 61A were arranged (length in the lifting direction in the table) was 5 mm.Example 11

[0085] The planographic printing plate precursor P2 was conveyed in the same manner as in Example 6, except that the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was changed to the planographic printing plate precursor P2. As the planographic printing plate precursor P2, a product name SUPERIA ZN2 manufactured by FUJIFILM Corporation was used. The planographic printing plate precursor P2 is a so-called on-press development type unprocessed printing plate.Example 12

[0086] The planographic printing plate precursor P3 was conveyed in the same manner as in Example 6, except that the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was changed to the planographic printing plate precursor P3. As the planographic printing plate precursor P3, a product name Sonora NX2 manufactured by Kodak was used. The planographic printing plate precursor P3 is a so-called on-press development type unprocessed printing plate.Comparative Example 0

[0087] A device was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the number of elastic members 61 was changed from three to one, the device was mounted on the pallet 11 of the conveying device 10, and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was conveyed by the conveying device 10. In the auxiliary device 60, the momentary maximum contact force between the elastic member 61 and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was 0.18 N. In addition, the thickness of the elastic member 61 in the device (described as the length in the lifting direction in the table) was 1 mm.Comparative Example 1

[0088] The planographic printing plate precursor P1 was conveyed using the device described in JP2004-142901A. In the device, the length of the separation member (length in a lifting direction of the precursor) was 10 mm, and the momentary maximum contact force between the separation member and the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was 15 N.Comparative Example 2

[0089] The planographic printing plate precursor P1 was conveyed using the device described in JP2008-180868A. The blowing force of the compressed air to the side surface of the planographic printing plate precursor P1 was 0.25 megapascal (MPa).Comparative Example 3

[0090] The planographic printing plate precursor P1 was conveyed by the conveying device 10 without mounting the auxiliary device 60 or the like on the pallet 11 of the conveying device 10.Comparative Example 4

[0091] The planographic printing plate precursor P3 was conveyed by the conveying device 10 without mounting the auxiliary device 60 or the like on the pallet 11 of the conveying device 10.

[0092] The results obtained in Examples 1 to 12 and Comparative Examples 0 to 4 are shown below. The following table shows four items of multiple plate feeding, suction cup failure, plate scratch, and plate riding as evaluation items.

[0093] The multiple plate feeding was evaluated in five stages. The evaluation “5” of the multiple plate feeding indicates that the multiple plate feeding did not occur by performing the lifting operation of the planographic printing plate precursor only once. The evaluation “4” of the multiple plate feeding indicates that the multiple plate feeding did not occur by performing the lifting operation of the planographic printing plate precursor twice. The evaluation “3” of the multiple plate feeding indicates that the multiple plate feeding did not occur by performing the lifting operation of the planographic printing plate precursor three times. The evaluation “2” of the multiple plate feeding indicates that the multiple plate feeding occurred with a low probability even by performing the lifting operation three times. The evaluation “1” of the multiple plate feeding indicates that the multiple plate feeding occurred with a high probability even by performing the lifting operation three times.

[0094] The suction cup failure was evaluated in five stages. The evaluation “5” of the suction cup failure indicates that the suction-holding of the planographic printing plate precursor by the first suction portion 13 was completely continued. The evaluation “4” of the suction cup failure indicates that the suction-holding of the planographic printing plate precursor by the first suction portion 13 was partially released, but the lifting of the planographic printing plate precursor was maintained. The evaluation “3” of the suction cup failure indicates that the suction-holding of the planographic printing plate precursor by the first suction portion 13 was released in a range wider than the evaluation “4”, but the lifting of the planographic printing plate precursor was maintained. The evaluation “2” of the suction cup failure indicates that the complete release of the suction-holding of the planographic printing plate precursor by the first suction portion 13 occurred at a low frequency, and the lifting was not possible. The evaluation “1” of the suction cup failure indicates that the complete release of the suction-holding of the planographic printing plate precursor by the first suction portion 13 occurred at a high frequency, and the lifting was not possible.

[0095] The plate scratch was evaluated in five stages. The evaluation “5” of the plate scratch indicates that a scratch that can be visually recognized did not occur in the planographic printing plate precursor. The evaluation “4” of the plate scratch indicates that a scratch that can be visually recognized occurred in the planographic printing plate precursor, but there was no problem in practice. The evaluation “3” of the plate scratch indicates that a scratch that can be visually recognized occurred in the planographic printing plate precursor at a higher frequency than in the evaluation “4”, but there was no problem in practice. The evaluation “2” of the plate scratch indicates that a scratch that is a problem in practice occurred in the planographic printing plate precursor at a low frequency. The evaluation “1” of the plate scratch indicates that a scratch that is a problem in practice occurred in the planographic printing plate precursor at a high frequency.

[0096] The plate riding was evaluated in five stages. The evaluation “5” of the plate riding indicates that the planographic printing plate precursor did not enter a state of riding on the elastic member or the separation member. The evaluation “4” of the plate riding indicates that the planographic printing plate precursor rode on the elastic member or the separation member for only a short time, but finally the planographic printing plate precursor did not enter a state of riding on the elastic member or the separation member. The evaluation “3” of the plate riding indicates that the planographic printing plate precursor rode on the elastic member or the separation member for only a time longer than the evaluation “4”, but finally the planographic printing plate precursor did not enter a state of riding on the elastic member or the separation member. The evaluation “2” of the plate riding indicates that the planographic printing plate precursor rode on the elastic member or the separation member at a low frequency. The evaluation “1” of the plate riding indicates that the planographic printing plate precursor rode on the elastic member or the separation member at a high frequency.

[0097] In a case where each evaluation value is “3” or more, the printing step can be sufficiently efficiently performed.TABLE 1DeviceBrushMomentaryLength inEvaluationoutermaximumliftingMultipleSuctionPrintingdiametercontactdirectionInstallationplatecupPlatePlateLevelplate[mm]force [N][mm]positionfeedingfailurescratchridingExample 1P1—1.53Pallet4555Example 2P1—0.23Pallet3555Example 3P1—560Pallet4444Example 4P10.21060Pallet5333Example 5P10.2360Frame4555Example 6P10.2360Pallet4555Example 7P10.050.560Pallet3555Example 8P10.11.560Pallet4555Example 9P10.2240Pallet4555Example 10P10.20.25Pallet3555Example 11P20.2360Pallet5555Example 12P30.2360Pallet5555ComparativeP1—0.181Pallet2555Example 0ComparativeP1—1510Frame5111Example 1ComparativeP1—(Blowing—Frame1555Example 2force:0.25-MPa)ComparativeP1————1———Example 3ComparativeP3————2———Example 4

[0098] From the results of Table 1, it was proven that various effects such as the prevention of the multiple plate feeding, the prevention of the planographic printing plate precursor from riding on the elastic member, the prevention of the scratch on the planographic printing plate precursor, and the prevention of the release of the suction-holding of the first suction portion 13 can be obtained by using the auxiliary device of the embodiment described above. In addition, it was found that, by increasing the length in the lifting direction (preferably to 3 mm or more), the contact time between the planographic printing plate precursor and the elastic member is increased, and even in a case where the momentary maximum contact force is reduced, the probability of occurrence of the multiple plate feeding is reduced. It was also found that, in a case where the momentary maximum contact force was 0.18 N, the probability of occurrence of the multiple plate feeding was high, but in a case where the momentary maximum contact force was 0.2 N or more, the probability of occurrence of the multiple plate feeding was significantly reduced.

[0099] As described above, at least the following matters are described in the present specification. Although the components corresponding to the above-described embodiment are shown in the following parentheses, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.(1)

[0100] An auxiliary device (auxiliary device 60, auxiliary devices 60A to 60D) for a conveying device (conveying device 10) that takes out a planographic printing plate precursor from a stack (stack 40) in which a plurality of the planographic printing plate precursors (planographic printing plate precursor 41) are stacked and that conveys the planographic printing plate precursor, the auxiliary device comprising:

[0101] a contact portion configured to come into contact with an edge portion (edge portion 41E) of the planographic printing plate precursor to be conveyed by the conveying device,

[0102] in which the contact portion is formed of an elastic member (three elastic members 61, elastic member 61A, and elastic member 61B) including a plurality of regions that are disposed at different positions on a trajectory (40T) of the edge portion.(2)

[0103] The auxiliary device according to (1),

[0104] in which the elastic member that forms the contact portion is configured to directly come into contact with the edge portion.(3)

[0105] The auxiliary device according to (2),

[0106] in which the elastic member that forms the contact portion is provided at a position at which the elastic member is not in contact with the stack.(4)

[0107] The auxiliary device according to (3),

[0108] in which the contact portion is formed of a plurality of elastic members (three elastic members 61 and an aggregate of elastic members 61A) including the regions.(5)

[0109] The auxiliary device according to (4), further comprising:

[0110] a support portion (support portion 64) configured to support the plurality of elastic members, in which the plurality of elastic members are supported by the support portion in a state of being arranged in a direction along the trajectory.(6)

[0111] The auxiliary device according to (5),

[0112] in which the plurality of elastic members are supported by the support portion in a state of being arranged in a direction intersecting a stacking direction (direction Z) of the planographic printing plate precursor in the stack.(7)

[0113] The auxiliary device according to any one of (4) to (6),

[0114] in which the elastic member (elastic member 61A) has a linear shape.(8)

[0115] The auxiliary device according to (3),

[0116] in which the contact portion is formed of a band-shaped elastic member (elastic member 61B) including the plurality of regions.(9)

[0117] The auxiliary device according to (8), further comprising:

[0118] a support portion (support portion 64) configured to support the band-shaped elastic member in a curved state.(10)

[0119] The auxiliary device according to any one of (1) to (9),

[0120] in which the conveying device lifts, in a thickness direction of the planographic printing plate precursor, the planographic printing plate precursor (planographic printing plate precursor 41S) on a surface of the stack opposite to a side of a placement surface (surface 11S) of the stack, and conveys the lifted planographic printing plate precursor.(11)

[0121] The auxiliary device according to (10), further comprising:

[0122] a support portion (support portion 64) configured to support the elastic member,

[0123] in which the support portion is configured to change a position of the elastic member with respect to the placement surface.(12)

[0124] The auxiliary device according to (11),

[0125] in which the support portion is configured to change an angle of the elastic member with respect to the placement surface.(13)

[0126] The auxiliary device according to (11) or (12),

[0127] in which the support portion is configured to change a distance between the placement surface and the elastic member.(14)

[0128] The auxiliary device according to any one of (1) to (13), further comprising:

[0129] a support portion (support portion 64) configured to support the contact portion in an attachable and detachable manner.(15)

[0130] The auxiliary device according to any one of (1) to (14),

[0131] in which the auxiliary device is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the conveying device.(16)

[0132] The auxiliary device according to any one of (1) to (15),

[0133] in which a momentary maximum contact force between the contact portion and the edge portion of the planographic printing plate precursor to be conveyed by the conveying device is 0.2 N or more and 10 N or less.(17)

[0134] A method for manufacturing a planographic printing plate, the method including: a first step of disposing an elastic member at a position not in contact with a stack in which a plurality of planographic printing plate precursors are stacked; a second step of taking out the planographic printing plate precursor from the stack and conveying the planographic printing plate precursor to an exposure device; and a third step of developing the planographic printing plate precursor exposed by the exposure device to prepare a planographic printing plate, in which, in the first step, the elastic member is disposed at a plurality of positions on a trajectory of an edge portion of the planographic printing plate precursor to be conveyed in the second step, and in the second step, the edge portion of the planographic printing plate precursor is brought into contact with the elastic member.

[0135] Various embodiments have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is apparent that those skilled in the art may perceive various modification examples or correction examples within the scope disclosed in the claims, and those examples are also understood as falling within the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, each constituent in the embodiment may be used in any combination without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0136] The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application (JP2023-150168) filed on Sep. 15, 2023, the content of which is incorporated in the present application by reference.EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES10: conveying device

[0138] 11: pallet

[0139] 11S: surface

[0140] 12: frame

[0141] 13: first suction portion

[0142] 14: second suction portion

[0143] 15: registration portion

[0144] 20: exposure device

[0145] 30: printing device

[0146] 40: stack

[0147] 40T: trajectory

[0148] 41, 41S: planographic printing plate precursor

[0149] 41E: edge portion

[0150] 60, 60A, 60B, 60C, 60D: auxiliary device

[0151] 61, 61A, 61B: elastic member

[0152] 62, 62A: support member

[0153] 63: base

[0154] 63A: recess portion

[0155] 63Y: bottom portion

[0156] 63Z: standing portion

[0157] 64: support portion

[0158] 100: printing system

Claims

1. An auxiliary device for a conveying device that takes out a planographic printing plate precursor from a stack in which a plurality of the planographic printing plate precursors are stacked and that conveys the planographic printing plate precursor, the auxiliary device comprising:a contact portion configured to come into contact with an edge portion of the planographic printing plate precursor to be conveyed by the conveying device,wherein the contact portion is formed of an elastic member including a plurality of regions that are disposed at different positions on a trajectory of the edge portion.

2. The auxiliary device according to claim 1,wherein the elastic member that forms the contact portion is configured to directly come into contact with the edge portion.

3. The auxiliary device according to claim 2,wherein the elastic member that forms the contact portion is provided at a position at which the elastic member is not in contact with the stack.

4. The auxiliary device according to claim 3,wherein the contact portion is formed of a plurality of elastic members including the regions.

5. The auxiliary device according to claim 4, further comprising:a support portion configured to support the plurality of elastic members,wherein the plurality of elastic members are supported by the support portion in a state of being arranged in a direction along the trajectory.

6. The auxiliary device according to claim 5,wherein the plurality of elastic members are supported by the support portion in a state of being arranged in a direction intersecting a stacking direction of the planographic printing plate precursors in the stack.

7. The auxiliary device according to claim 6,wherein the elastic member has a linear shape.

8. The auxiliary device according to claim 3,wherein the contact portion is formed of a band-shaped elastic member including the plurality of regions.

9. The auxiliary device according to claim 8, further comprising:a support portion configured to support the band-shaped elastic member in a curved state.

10. The auxiliary device according to claim 1,wherein the conveying device lifts, in a thickness direction of the planographic printing plate precursor, the planographic printing plate precursor on a surface of the stack opposite to a side of a placement surface of the stack, and conveys the lifted planographic printing plate precursor.

11. The auxiliary device according to claim 10, further comprising:a support portion configured to support the elastic member,wherein the support portion is configured to change a position of the elastic member with respect to the placement surface.

12. The auxiliary device according to claim 11,wherein the support portion is configured to change an angle of the elastic member with respect to the placement surface.

13. The auxiliary device according to claim 11,wherein the support portion is configured to change a distance between the placement surface and the elastic member.

14. The auxiliary device according to claim 1, further comprising:a support portion configured to support the contact portion in an attachable and detachable manner.

15. The auxiliary device according to claim 1,wherein the auxiliary device is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the conveying device.

16. The auxiliary device according to claim 1,wherein a momentary maximum contact force between the contact portion and the edge portion of the planographic printing plate precursor to be conveyed by the conveying device is 0.2 N or more and 10 N or less.

17. A method for manufacturing a planographic printing plate, the method comprising:disposing an elastic member at a position not in contact with a stack in which a plurality of planographic printing plate precursors are stacked;taking out the planographic printing plate precursor from the stack and conveying the planographic printing plate precursor to an exposure device; anddeveloping the planographic printing plate precursor exposed by the exposure device to prepare a planographic printing plate,wherein, in the disposing, the elastic member is disposed at a plurality of positions on a trajectory of an edge portion of the planographic printing plate precursor to be conveyed in the conveying, andin the conveying, the edge portion of the planographic printing plate precursor is brought into contact with the elastic member.

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