JPH03107166A - Device for processing photosensitive material - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To maintain the activity of the developing soln. to be used in a 1st processing tank of the processing device which successively transports a photosensitive material subjected to image exposing to the 1st processing tank housed therein with a processing liquid and a 2nd processing tank by supplying the 2nd replenishing liquid of the same volume as the volume of the replenishing liquid replenished to the 2nd processing tank to the 1st processing tank as well. CONSTITUTION:The PS plate 12 which is printed with images is inserted between guide rollers 40 and 26 of the 1st developing tank 14 by using a roller pair 22. The PS plate 12 fed therebetween is lowered by rollers 28, 30, 40 and is positioned in the central part of the developing tank 14 where the plate is subjected to the development. The PS plate 12 is then transferred into the 2nd developing tank 16 where the developing soln. 24 is sprayed thereto by spray pipes 54, 60 and both surfaces are rubbed by brushes 62, 78 to remove the unnecessary photosensitive layers. The developing soln. stock and water are thereafter sent into the 2nd developing tank 16 by using a processing and replenishing controller 164 and are sent into the 1st developing tank 14 as well at this time to prevent the degradation in the activity of the developing soln. in the tank 14. The long-term running is enabled in such a manner.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention sequentially transports and processes image-exposed photosensitive materials into a first processing tank and a second processing tank containing processing liquid. The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing device.

[Prior Art] A photosensitive material, such as a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, on which an image has been printed is sent to a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processor, which is a photosensitive material processing device, and is transferred to a developing tank section of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate processor. After being developed and washed with water in a rinsing section or washing section, a finisher liquid is applied to a part of the finisher.

A developer is supplied into the developer tank, and the photosensitive lithographic printing plate is transported into the developer tank, and the developer is sprayed onto the surface of the photosensitive material for development processing.

In particular, as described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-35072, the developing process is divided into at least two developing processes,
A development processing apparatus with multiple stages of development time has been proposed.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the development processing apparatus described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-35072, the developing ability of the developer differs depending on whether the number of photosensitive planographic printing plates processed is small or large. There is a difference in the development process between the photosensitive lithographic printing plates processed when the number of sheets processed is small and the photosensitive lithographic printing plates processed when the number of processed sheets is large, resulting in uneven development.
Development processing could not be performed stably.

Therefore, in Japanese Patent Application No. 149421/1982, the applicant of the present application has proposed a photosensitive lithographic processing machine that can stably carry out development processing corresponding to the required throughput.

This processing machine has a main developer tank (first developer tank) and an auxiliary developer tank (
A second developing tank) is provided, and after the photosensitive tank is swollen in the main developing tank, finishing is performed in an auxiliary development and development processing is performed.

However, in the above-mentioned processor, the developer level in the first developer tank is higher than the developer level used in the second developer tank, and the developer replenisher refilled in the second developer tank is not transferred to the first developer tank. It was not possible to supply the liquid stably, and it was not possible to perform continuous processing for a long period of time in the first developer tank and the second developer tank.

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention has been developed in an apparatus that processes photosensitive materials in a plurality of processing tanks, in which the activity of the developer used in the first processing tank and the second processing tank can be maintained for a long period of time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photosensitive material processing apparatus that can stably process photosensitive materials.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a liquid level setting means that is provided in the second processing tank and sets the liquid level of the processing liquid in the second processing tank. and a replenishing means for replenishing the second processing tank with a replenisher above the liquid level set by the liquid level setting means; It is characterized by having a supply means for supplying the processing liquid from the second processing tank to the first processing tank.

[Function] According to the present invention, the second processing tank is replenished with the replenisher by the replenisher. The same amount of processing liquid as the amount replenished into the second processing tank is supplied from the second processing tank to the first processing tank by the supply means.

In this way, the same amount of processing liquid in the second processing tank as the replenisher refilled into the second processing tank is supplied into the first processing tank, so that the processing liquid in the first processing tank is Since the activity can be maintained and the deterioration of the processing solution in the first processing tank can be reduced, the photosensitive material can be stably processed over a long period of time.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention having the above configuration, the same amount of the second processing liquid as the replenisher refilled into the second processing tank is supplied into the first processing tank. The excellent effect of being able to maintain the activity of the developer used in the process and allowing stable processing over a long period of time can be obtained.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processor 10, which is an example of a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present invention.

The photosensitive planographic printing plate processor 10 includes a first developer tank 14 for developing a photosensitive planographic printing plate (hereinafter referred to as "rPS plate") 12 on which an image has been printed by a printing device (not shown), and a 23rd plate 1.
a second developer tank 16 that performs auxiliary development processing on the PS plate 12; an overflow tank 18 disposed between the first developer tank 14 and the second developer tank 16; and a finisher tank 20 that applies finisher liquid to the PS plate 12. are provided.

1st developer tank> As shown in FIG.
A pair of conveyance rollers 22 is arranged on the insertion side of the paper. The 23rd plate 12, on which an image has been printed by a printing device (not shown), is inserted between the pair of conveying rollers 22, and the inserted 23rd plate 12 is sent into the photosensitive planographic printing plate processor 10.

The first developer tank 14 has an approximately inverted mountain shape with an open top and a bottom central portion protruding downward.

A developer 24 is contained within the first developer tank 14 . Inside the first developing tank 14, guide rollers 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 having the same diameter are arranged along the bottom wall. These guide rollers 26 to 38 form skewer-shaped rollers in which a plurality of elastic rotating members are pivotally supported on the outer periphery of the shaft, and the shaft is supported by being stretched between a pair of side plates (not shown). .

Further, a guide roller 40 having a larger diameter than the guide roller 26 is arranged above the guide roller 26.
A guide roller 42 is arranged above the guide roller 38, and a guide roller 44 is arranged above the guide roller 38. These guide rollers 40, 42, 44 are supported by a pair of side plates (not shown) like the guide rollers 26-38.

A transport roller pair 46 is disposed in the center of the first developer tank 14 between the guide roller 30 and the guide roller 32 . The conveying roller pair 46 is supported by a pair of side plates (not shown), and is rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown) transmitted thereto.

A guide roller 48 having a larger diameter than the guide roller 30 is arranged between the conveyance roller 46 and the guide roller 30.

This guide roller 48 is a skewer-shaped roller and the guide roller 2
Similar to 4-38, it is supported by a pair of side plates. A guide 52 is attached to the shaft of the guide roller 48 via a bracket 50. One end of this guide 52 is fixed to the bracket 50, and the other end is arranged toward the pair of conveying rollers 46. As a result, the 28 plate 12 is guided between the conveying rollers 46.

Therefore, the 28th printing plate 12 sent into the first developing tank 14 by the conveying roller pair 22 is inserted between the guide roller 24 and the guide roller 40, and the guide roller 28, 30, 48
The paper is guided by the guide 52 and is inserted between the pair of transport rollers 46 by the guide 52 . After passing through the pair of transport rollers 46, it is guided by guide rollers 32, 34, 36, 42, 38 and rises obliquely, and is guided by guide rollers 44 and sent onto the overflow tank 18. As a result, the 28 plate 12 is immersed in the developer in the first developer tank 14 and developed.

The guide roller 32 is formed by a plurality of elastic rotating members pivotally supported on the outer periphery of a spray pipe 54 in which a plurality of discharge ports are formed along the axial direction.

This spray pipe 54 is communicated with one end of a conduit 56. The other end of the pipe line 56 penetrates the bottom of the second developer 16 and discharges into the second developer Wj 16, and the second developer tank 16
The liquid level height is set.

A pump 58 (P,) is disposed in the middle of the pipe line 56, whereby the developer 24 in the second developer tank 16 is supplied to the spray pipe 54 and then into the first developer tank.

By supplying the processing liquid in the second developer tank into the first developer tank 14, the activity of the developer in the first developer tank 14 can be maintained.

Further, a spray pipe 60 is arranged above the guide roller 32. The spray pipe 60 is provided with a plurality of discharge ports opening toward the conveying roller pair 46 along the axial direction.

This spray pipe 60 is also in communication with the conduit 56,
The developer 24 in the second developer tank 16 is supplied by the supply pump 58 and is supplied into the first developer tank 14 .

A brush 62 is arranged between the spray pipe 60 and the guide roller 42. This brush 62 has a rotating shaft 64 rotatably supported by a side plate (not shown), and is rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown) transmitted thereto.

The brush 62 includes a long rag brush that is spirally wound around a rotating shaft 64 and bonded to the rotary shaft 64 through a nylon sheet.

This carpet brush is made of nylon, ETEF, PPS, PP, etc. Further, the outer diameter is preferably 40111111Φ or less, 25 to 40 mΦ, and the wire diameter of the carpet brush is set to 20 to 70 μm. In addition, the rotation speed of this carpet brush is set at 300 rpm or less,
60-200 r prn is preferred.

Alternatively, the brush 62 may be formed by providing a spiral groove on the rotating shaft, inserting a four-torsion brush into the groove, and winding the brush. In this case, the Nejiri Brush is a brush with bristles fixed to two wire rods, and when the wire of this Nejiri Brush is inserted into the groove, the bristles will spread out and protrude almost evenly to the outside of the groove, and the bristles will stand up radially. are arranged approximately evenly around the rotation axis. This twisting brush is molded from the same material as the above-mentioned carpet brush.

As shown in FIG. 1, a brush 6 is provided at the bottom of the conveyance path of the 28 plate 12 between the guide roller 36 and the guide roller 38.
A brush 78 having the same configuration as 2 is arranged.

A scraping prevention plate 80 is provided on the guide roller 42 side of the brush 62.
is located. This vignetting prevention plate 80 has a brush 62
This prevents the rear end of the 28 plate 12 passing between the guide roller 36 and the guide roller 36 from being vignetted. Furthermore, a scratch prevention plate 82 is arranged between the brush 78 and the guide roller 38.

This vignetting prevention plate 82 is similar to the vignetting prevention plate 80.
This prevents the rear end of the plate 12 from being vignetted.

A pipe line 84 that communicates with the bottom of the overflow tank 18 opens above the first developer tank 14 . A pump (PE) 86 is disposed in the middle of this conduit 84. Further, a pipe line 90 communicating with the water supply tank 88 is opened above the first developer tank 14, and a water supply pump 92 (P2) is disposed in the middle of this pipe line 90. This water supply pump 92 is connected to a conductivity replenishment controller 176, which will be described later. As a result, the timing of water supply to the first developer tank 14 is controlled.

Further, one end of a conduit 94 is connected to the lower part of the first developing tank 14 . A conductivity detector 96 (S
), a circulation pump 98, and a filter 100 (F) are arranged, and the other end communicates with the spray pipe 54, 60. Therefore, the operation of the circulation pump 98 causes the first
The developer 24 stored in the lower part of the developer tank 14 is connected to the conduit 9.
After passing through the conductivity detector 96 and the filter 100, it is sent into the first developer tank 14 again. As a result, the conductivity of the developer 24 is detected, dust in the developer 24 is removed, and the developer 24 in the first developer tank 14 is stirred.

Further, the conductivity detector 96 detects the developer 24 passing through the pipe line 94 by a conductivity replenishment controller 176, which will be described later.
The conductivity of the developer 24 in the first developing tank 14 is detected, and the detection result is transmitted to the conductivity replenishment controller 176.

Further, a liquid level lid 102 is arranged above the first developing tank 14 . Although the movement of the liquid level cover 102 in the transport direction of the 28 plate 12 is regulated by a stopper (not shown), the movement in the liquid level height direction is not regulated. Therefore, the first developer tank 1
When the amount of the developer 24 in the developer 24 decreases and the level of the developer 24 decreases, the liquid level lid 102 lowers to follow this decrease.

Thereby, the a-liquid level cover 102 prevents deterioration of the developer caused by the developer absorbing carbon dioxide gas in the air and neutralizing alkaline components in the developer. It also prevents the developer from evaporating.

Further, a guide cover 104 for beam entry is arranged above the first developing tank 14. This guide cover 104
After the development process, the developer jumps over the first developer tank 14 and goes to the second developer tank 16 to perform the development process and finisher process again.
Guide and insert 28th edition 12 inside.

Overflow tank> The upper part of the side wall of the first developer tank 14 on the overflow tank 18 side is bent toward the overflow tank 18 side, and the developer 24 in the first developer tank 14 overflows the upper part of this side wall and flows into the overflow tank 18. It is collected inside.

A pair of conveying rollers 106 is arranged at the upper part of the side wall that partitions the overflow tank 18 and the second developer tank 16. These transport roller pairs 106 are rotatably supported by a side plate (not shown), and are rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown) transmitted thereto. The 28 plate 12 sent out from between the guide rollers 38 and 44 is inserted between the pair of transport rollers 106.

The conveyance roller 106 located on the upper side has a small diameter roller 10.
8 are placed in contact with each other. This roller 108 is connected to the developer 24 in the second developer tank 16 adhering to the conveyance roller 106.
is prevented from entering the overflow tank 18.

Further, the transport roller 106 located further below has an overflow tank 18 and a roller 110.1 inside the second developer tank 16.
12 are arranged in contact with each other. The roller 110 is carried out by the 28 plate 12 in the first developer tank 14 to prevent the developer 24 adhering to the transport roller 106 from entering the second developer tank 16. Further, the roller 112 prevents the developer in the second developing tank from entering the overflow tank 18.

Inside the overflow tank 18 is a conduit 114 that penetrates the bottom.
One end of the pipe 114 extends from the bottom to a predetermined height, and the height of the developer in the overflow tank 18 is determined by the height of the pipe 114 from the bottom. The other end of this conduit 114 opens into a drain tank 116 .

Second developer tank> At the top of the second developer tank 16, a pair of transport rollers 118 are arranged on the side of the finisher tank 20. These transport roller pairs 118 are rotatably supported by a side plate (not shown). The driving force of a driving means (not shown) is transmitted and rotates. A pair of conveyor rollers 10 is disposed between these pairs of conveyor rollers 118.
The 23rd edition 12 sent out from between 6 and 6 is inserted. As a result, the 23rd plate 12 is conveyed substantially horizontally above the second developing tank 16.

23 plate 12 between conveyance roller 106 and conveyance roller 118
A spray pipe 120 having the same configuration as the spray pipe 54 described above is arranged above the conveyance path. The outlet of the developer 24 of this spray pipe 120 is connected to the conveyor roller 1.
It is opened toward the 06 side, and discharges the supplied developer between the conveyance roller 106 and the upper surface side of the 23rd plate 12. This spray pipe 120 is connected to one end of a conduit 122. The other end of the pipe line 122 communicates with the bottom of the second developer tank 16, and a circulation pump 124 is disposed in the middle. A developer 24 is stored in the lower part of the second developer tank 16, and the developer 24 is stored in the lower part of the second developer tank 16.
4 is supplied to the spray pipe 120. As a result, the developer 24 is discharged and applied onto the surface of the 23rd plate 12.

A kite roller 126 is disposed at the bottom of the conveyance path for the 23rd plate 12 in correspondence with the spray pipe 120. Like the guide roller 32, this guide roller 126 is a spray pipe 12 having a plurality of discharge ports formed along the axial direction.
A plurality of elastic rotating members are pivotally supported on the outer periphery of 8. This spray pipe 128 is in communication with the conduit 122, and the developer 24 is supplied by the operation of the circulation pump 124.

A plurality of discharge ports are opened in the spray pipe 128 along the axial direction between the conveyance roller 118 and the back side of the 23rd printing plate 12. The developer 24 thus supplied is discharged and applied to the back side of the 23rd plate 12.

One end of a conduit 130 is communicated with the bottom of the second developer tank 16 . The other end of the pipe line 130 is connected to a developing solution tank 131. A stock solution supply pump 1 is located in the middle of the pipe line 130.
32 (P,) are arranged. This stock solution supply pump 1
32 is connected to a processing replenishment controller 164, which will be described later, and its operation is controlled.

Further, one end of a conduit 134 is communicated with the bottom of the second developing tank 16 . The other end of the pipe line 134 is connected to a water supply tank 88. A water supply pump 136 is arranged in the middle of the pipe line 134. This water supply pump 136 (P3) is connected to the conductivity replenishment controller 176 and the processing replenishment controller 164, and their operations are controlled.

Further, one end of a conduit 138 passes through the bottom of the second developer tank 16 and projects into the second developer tank. The other end of the pipe line 138 opens to a drain tank 140, and the developer that has overflowed the pipe line 138 is discharged.

Finisher tank> A partition plate 142 is provided on the side wall that partitions the second developer tank 16 and the finisher tank 20.
This prevents the developing solution adhering to the pair of transport rollers 118 from mixing into the finisher solution in the finisher tank 20.

A pair of conveyor rollers 144 is arranged on the exit side in the upper part of the finisher tank 20.
is rotatably supported by a side plate (not shown), and is rotated by the driving force of a driving means (not shown) transmitted thereto. The conveyance roller pair 144 is arranged at a slightly lower position than the conveyance roller 118. A pair of conveying rollers 11 is provided between the pair of conveying rollers 144.
The 23rd edition 12 sent out from between 8 and 8 is inserted. As a result, the PS plate 12 is transported with the upper part of the second developing tank 16 tilted.

PS plate 1 between the transport roller pair 118 and the transport roller 144
A spray pipe 146 having the same configuration as the spray pipe 54 described above is arranged above the conveyance path No. 2. A discharge port of the developer 24 of this spray pipe 146 is opened toward the conveyance roller 144 side, and the developer 24 supplied thereto is
4 is discharged between the conveyance roller 144 and the upper surface side of the PS plate 12.

This spray pipe 146 is connected to one end of a conduit 148. The other end of the pipe line 148 is communicated with the bottom of the finisher tank 20, and a circulation pump 150 is disposed in the middle. A finisher liquid 152 is stored in the lower part of the finisher tank 20, and a circulation pump 150
This finisher liquid 152 is supplied to the spray pipe 146 by the operation of. This allows the finisher to
The liquid 152 is discharged and applied onto the surface of the PS plate 12.

A finisher liquid application box 154 is arranged at the bottom of the transport path for the PS plate 12 in correspondence with the spray pipe 146 . The finisher liquid application box 154 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and an opening 154A is formed toward the top. A spray pipe 156 is arranged within the finisher liquid application box 154. Similar to the spray pipe 146, this spray pipe 156 has a plurality of discharge ports formed along the axial direction toward a corner inside the finisher liquid application box 154. This spray pipe 154 is communicated with a conduit 148, and when the circulation pump 148 is operated, the finisher is
Liquid 152 is supplied into finisher liquid application box 154 . The finisher liquid 152 supplied into the finisher liquid application box 154 overflows from the opening 154A and is applied to the back side 5 of the PS plate 12 passing above.

One end of a conduit 158 is connected to the bottom of the finisher tank 20 . The other end of the pipe line 158 is connected to a finisher liquid tank 160. A stock solution supply pump 162 (P,) is arranged in the middle of the pipe line 158. This stock solution supply pump 162 is connected to a processing replenishment controller 164 to control its operation.

Further, one end of a conduit 166 is communicated with the bottom of the finisher tank 20. The other end of the pipe 166 is a water tank 88
is connected to. A water supply pump 1 is installed in the middle of the pipe 166.
68 (P3) is arranged. This water supply pump 136
is connected to the conductivity replenishment controller 176 and the process replenishment controller 164, and their operations are controlled.

Further, one end of a conduit 1170 passes through the bottom of the finisher tank 20 and projects into the finisher tank 20. The height of this protrusion into the finisher tank 20 sets the liquid level height of the finisher liquid in the finisher tank 20. The other end of the pipe line 170 opens to a drain tank 172, and the developer that has overflowed the pipe line 170 is discharged.

A detector 174 connected to the processing replenishment controller 164 is arranged on the insertion side of the transport roller pair 22. The detector 174 detects the passage time of the PS plate 12 in the insertion slot of the photosensitive planographic printing plate processing machine 10, and detects the PS plate 12 set in advance.
Using the processing speed of the plate and the width dimension of the PS plate, the area of the PS plate 12 to be inserted into the photosensitive planographic printing plate processor 10 is calculated by the processing replenishment controller roller 164.

Further, the conductivity replenishment controller 176 is connected to the conductivity detector 9.
Water pump 92.136.16 based on the detection result of 6
8 to replenish water into the first developer tank 14, second developer tank 16, and finisher tank 20.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

The PS plate 12 on which an image has been printed by a printing device (not shown) is inserted into the transport roller pair 22, and then the first developer tank 14 is inserted between the idle roller 40 and the guide roller 26.
It is sent into the first developer tank 14. This PS plate 12 is guided by the guide roller 28.30148 and descends to the first
Sent to the center of development.

The large-diameter guide roller 52 guides the tip of the PS plate 12 without deviating from the predetermined conveyance path, and the guide 52
It functions to insert the leading end of the third plate 12 between the pair of conveying rollers 46.

The 23rd plate 12 inserted into the pair of conveying rollers 46 and sent out from the pair of conveying rollers 46 is moved by the guide rollers 32, 34, .
36, 42, 38, and 44, rises, and is sent out from the first developer tank 14.

The 23rd printing plate 12 is squeezed in the developer 24 in the first developer tank 16 when it is conveyed while being held by a pair of conveyor rollers 46, and immediately after that, the developer is sprayed by the spray pipes 54, 60. Further, the developer in the first developer tank 14 is circulated through the spray pipes 54 and 60.

Further, both sides of the 23rd plate 12 are rubbed by the brushes 62, 78, and unnecessary swollen or dissolved photosensitive layers are rubbed off, so that the 23rd plate 12 is almost completely developed.

Also, since the brushes 62, 78 are formed to have a small diameter, the rotating shafts 64, 70 are placed in the developer solution. This reduces the contact of the developer 24 with air, which prevents deterioration of the developer 24, and also allows the first developer tank 14 to be made smaller, thereby reducing costs.

Further, the developer 24 overflowing from the first developer tank 14 and discharged into the overflow tank 18 is transferred to the pipe 114.
from there into the discharge tank 116.

The developer 24 that overflows from the first developer tank 14 and is discharged from the overflow tank 18 is passed through the pipe line 84 by the pump 86 and is again supplied to the first developer tank 14, so that the developer 24 can be effectively used. It can be used for.

The 23rd printing plate 12 sent out from the first developer tank 14 is pinched and transported by a pair of transport rollers 106 , the developer 24 is squeezed out, and the plate 12 is sent out between a pair of transport rollers 118 . The toner is sent out toward a pair of transport rollers 118 and transported in a substantially horizontal direction above the second developer tank 16 while being guided by guide rollers 126 .

During this conveyance, the developer 24 is discharged and coated onto both sides of the 23rd plate 12 by the spray pipes 120 and 128. As a result, the 23rd plate 12 is completely developed.

The developing solution in the first developing tank 14 becomes exhausted due to the development process of the 23rd plate 12, and this exhausted developing solution 24 is discharged from the overflow tank 18 through the pipe line 134 into the discharge tank 116.

Further, the developer stock solution and water are replenished into the second developer tank 16 by a processing replenishment controller 164.

Due to this replenishment, the liquid level of the developer in the second developer tank 16 rises and is located above the open end of the pipe line 56. From this state, the supply pump 58 (P,) is activated and supplies the developer 24 in the second developer tank 16 to the spray pipe 54, 60 of the first developer tank 14.

This supply amount is set to be the same amount as the replenishment amount refilled into the second developing tube 16.

Therefore, a decrease in the activity of the developer in the first developer tank 14 is prevented, and the developer in the second developer tank with minimal deterioration is supplied to the first developer tank. The deterioration of the developer is reduced.

Further, since the upper surface of the developer is covered by a liquid level lid 102, the developer is prevented from being deteriorated by air.

It also prevents the developer from evaporating. This allows for long-term running.

Next, replenishment of the developer will be explained.

When a large number of 23 plates 12 are developed in the first development process 14, the developer becomes exhausted. The degree of fatigue of the developer can be determined by detecting the area of the 23 plate 12 to be processed by the detector 174, calculating it by the processing replenishment controller 164, and replenishing the developer to recover from the deterioration of the developer.

That is, the 23rd plate 12 inserted by the detector 174
Based on this detection result, the processing replenishment controller 164 calculates the operation time of the stock solution supply pump 132 and the water supply pump 136, and supplies the stock solution in order to supply a replenishment amount corresponding to the area of the plate 12. pump 132
, the water supply pump 136 is activated.

Further, the conductivity of the developer 24 is detected by a conductivity detector 96, and when the developer 24 is concentrated and the conductivity increases and exceeds a predetermined value, the conductivity replenishment controller 17
6, the water supply pump 92 is operated to supply the first developer tank 14.
supply water to In addition, the second developer tank 18 and the finisher
The amount of water evaporated in the tank 24 is also measured in advance, and the second developing water supply pump 136 and the finisher water supply bong 168 are operated in proportion to the operation of the water supply pump 982. This water replenishment amount is set to 1Qcc to 1000cc/time.

In addition, the finisher tank 20 includes a processing replenishment controller 1.
64, the finisher solution and water are replenished at a constant rate by the finisher stock solution supply pump 162 and the water supply pump 168.

This prevents the developer 24 and finisher solution 152 from becoming concentrated, and in addition to the surface replenishment, the activity of the developer solution 24 and finisher solution 152 is kept constant, making it possible to perform stable development over a long period of time.

In this example, a photosensitive lithographic printing plate is shown as an example of the photosensitive material, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a developing device for photosensitive recording materials such as a developing device for waterless planographic printing plates as other photosensitive materials. You can.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate processor according to the present invention. 10... Photosensitive planographic printing plate processor, 12... Photosensitive planographic printing plate (PS plate), 14... First developer tank, 16... Second developer tank, 18... Overflow tank , 20... Finisher 24... Developer, 56... Pipe line, 58... Supply pump.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A photosensitive material processing apparatus that sequentially conveys and processes an image-exposed photosensitive material into a first processing tank containing a processing solution and a second processing tank, wherein the second processing tank is a liquid level setting means for setting the liquid level of the processing liquid in the second processing tank; and replenishing the liquid level into the second processing tank above the liquid level set by the liquid level setting means. A replenishing means for replenishing the liquid, and a supply means for supplying the same amount of processing liquid as the replenishing liquid into the second processing tank from the second processing tank to the first processing tank. A photosensitive material processing device characterized by: