Abstract: An inkjet recording device and inkjet recording method capable of forming a high quality image with a simple structure. A transport belt position detection component detects a position of an end portion of a transport belt and outputs the detected position to a system control section. A recording medium position detection component detects a position of an end portion of a recording medium and outputs the detected position to the system control section. A position control component is capable of moving on the basis of instructions from the system control section for movement across a transport direction.

Abstract: A water-retaining support for plants comprising a hydrogel-forming polymer (A) having a calcium ion absorption of 0-100 mg per 1 g of the dry weight thereof, having a chlorine ion content of 0.07-7 mmol per 1 g of the dry weight thereof and having a water absorption magnification in ion-exchanger water at 25° C. of 1.0×101 to 1.0×102; or a plant body-growing water-retaining material comprising a molded product of a mixture of such a polymer (A) and a plant body-growing support (B). The water-retaining support for plants and the plant body-growing water-retaining material are those which have an excellent water-retaining property and they substantially do not cause inhibition of root generation or inhibition of root elongation.

Abstract: An image forming method comprises steps of: ejecting charged matter applied an external force from a recording head placed opposed to a record medium; applying a voltage to an intermediate electrode installed between the recording head and the record medium and controlling flying of the ejected charged matter; applying a predetermined voltage to an auxiliary electrode placed between the intermediate electrode and the recording head, and controlling a potential gradient between the recording head and the intermediate electrode; and hitting the charged matter on the record medium.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method comprising discharging ink from a leading edge of a projection to form an image, in which (1) the ink is discharged by applying a voltage across electrodes based on an image data signal, and forming a meniscus around the leading edge of the projection in synchronism with the image signal, or (2) the ink is discharged by forming a meniscus around the leading edge of the projection based on an image data signal in an electrostatic field.

Abstract: A method of computer-to-cylinder type lithographic printing comprising: loading a plate material on a plate cylinder of a printing apparatus; forming an image, based on image data signal, directly onto the plate material by an inkjet image-recording process comprising ejecting an oil-based ink from a recording head; heat-fixing the thus formed inkjet image to prepare a printing plate; and performing lithographic printing with the thus prepared printing plate, wherein said heat fixing step comprises heating with a heat roller. In a preferred embodiment, said heat-fixing step further comprises preliminary heating prior to said heating with the heat roller. Also disclosed are computer-to-cylinder type lithographic printing apparatuses for carrying out the printing methods.

Abstract: Temperature control of heaters 8a and 8b for heating a printing original plate 2 is performed with an atmosphere temperature sensor 11, etc., and stably generated heat is shielded by controlling the rotation angles of reflecting plates 9a and 9b. The leading end of the printing original plate 2 is detected by a position detection sensor 26 and the transport speed of the printing original plate 2 is controlled. As the trailing end of the printing original plate 2 is detected, the rotation angles of the reflecting plates 9a and 9b are controlled and the heating amount is controlled in response to the parts of the printing original plate 2. Accordingly, it is possibly to heat the whole printing original plate while preventing uneven heating, when the printing original plate is heated and transported.

Abstract: A method of computer-to-cylinder type lithographic printing comprising: loading a plate material on a plate cylinder of a printing apparatus; forming an image, based on image data signal, directly onto the plate material by an inkjet image-recording process comprising ejecting an oil-based ink from a recording head; heat-fixing the thus formed inkjet image to prepare a printing plate; and performing lithographic printing with the thus prepared printing plate, wherein said heat fixing step comprises heating with a heat roller. In a preferred embodiment, said heat-fixing step further comprises preliminary heating prior to said heating with the heat roller. Also disclosed are computer-to-cylinder type lithographic printing apparatuses for carrying out the printing methods.

Abstract: A jig used for heat treatment made from an SiC-coated silicon carbide material, wherein the SiC film is coated by the CVD method on a silicon carbide matrix in which silicon has been impregnated and wherein there are no pores with a diameter of 2 .mu.m or larger in the outer layer of the matrix within 200 .mu.m from the interface of the SiC film and the silicon carbide matrix when observed by a scanning electron microscope at a magnification of 400 times. The jig is manufactured by producing an SiC film on the surface of a silicon carbide matrix in which silicon has been impregnated by introducing a raw material compound for producing the SiC film and forming the SiC film at a temperature from 1000.degree. C. to 1290.degree. C. under a pressure from 500 to 760 Torr in a non-oxidative atmosphere. The jig exhibits superior resistance to high temperature heating cycles and excellent high thermal shock resistance required for heat treatment in semiconductor manufacturing.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a heating apparatus that eliminates the poor heating due to thermal expansion and thereby assures satisfactory thermal developing performance without unevenness and which, in addition, is capable of processing printing plates wider than 400 mm, as well as a thermal developing system equipped with said heating apparatus. The heating apparatus 1 having a pressure contact zone P, in which the length lo of the pressure contact zone P in the direction of travel is set by calculation from the relation (1): lo=dl/(.alpha..multidot.dT), where lo is the length of the pressure contact area in the direction of travel, dT is an incremental temperature elevation, .alpha. is the coefficient of thermal expansion of the metal support of an original printing plate, and dl is the thermal expansion in millimeters of the metal support in the pressure contact zone P in the direction of travel, such that dl satisfies dl<0.

Abstract: Provided are a method for heat developing a photosensitive material comprising the steps of heating the surface of the photosensitive material at a first temperature at which decarboxylation and release of a base by decomposition of a base precursor proceed, the surface being exposed to an atmosphere in a non-contact state, and then heating the photosensitive material at a second temperature which a hardening reaction proceeds at and is higher than the first temperature; and an apparatus comprising a non-contact heating section for heating the photosensitive material in the non-contact state at the first temperature and a contact heating section for heating the photosensitive material in a contact state at the second temperature. The method and apparatus efficiently liberate from the photosensitive material carbonic acid gas generated by decomposition of the base precursor to make smooth progress of the heat development reaction possible.

Abstract: A heat treatment device for a printing form in which the contact of the printing form with a heating plate can be made more complete to achieve heat development reproducing complete images. The device comprises a heating means for surface heating the photosensitive planographic printing form having a metal support and continuous belt for covering the whole printing form to hold it between a continuous belt and the heating means and heating the printing form while transferring it along the continuous belt. The heat treatment device further comprises at least one tension roller for increasing the pressure on the continuous belt at a central portion of the printing form to laterally distribute the pressure.

Abstract: The improved transporting apparatus for scanning exposure of a recording material as it is fixed on an exposure mount which is moved by means of a screw transmission mechanism is characterized in that the exposure mount for transporting the recording material is composed of a platen for carrying the recording material and a transport plate that holds the platen and which engages the screw transmission mechanism, with the platen and the transport plate being designed to be capable of relative displacement by small amounts, preferably in a non-contact relationship. Optionally, urging members may be provided to combine with the platen and the transport plate to form a vibration system that composes a vibration filter.

Abstract: A precision cutting process machine aligns a workpiece to be subjected to a precision cutting process by a continuously rotating cutting tool relative to the cutting tool, and cuts the work into a predetermined pattern so as to form fine grooves at a predetermined pitch by a continuous cutting processes. The machine includes a main body base portion and an up-and-down moving table driven in the up-and-down direction with respect to the main body base portion.

Abstract: A method for preparing a lithographic printing plate not requiring dampening with water comprising the steps of imagewise exposing to light a presensitized plate for use in preparing a lithographic printing plate not requiring dampening with water which comprises a substrate provided thereon with a light-sensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer in that order and then spraying a pressurized liquid on the plate surface to remove the silicone rubber layer of the image areas. The method does not require the use of brush rolls or developing pads which directly come in contact with the plate surface and give rise to wear and/or bending. Therefore, the method always ensures excellent quality and uniformity of development. Further, the method may be carried out repeatedly with less maintenance of equipment since it is not necessary to use any developing pad or brush roll which must frequently be exchanged due to wear or bending.

Abstract: High purity silicon carbide parts for a heat treating apparatuses for semiconductors; composed mainly of .alpha.-type silicon carbide and silicon; characterized in that a particle sizes of the .alpha.-type silicon carbide crystals composing the high purity silicon carbide parts are not larger than 44 .mu.m; a weight mean particle size of the .alpha.-type silicon carbide crystals is in a range from 2 to 25 .mu.m; high purity silicon is filled up among the particles of the .alpha.-type silicon carbide crystals; and a content of iron as an impurity element contained in the high purity silicon carbide parts is not larger than 5 ppm.