Hot Products: Computer-to-Plate

Improved Recording Head Design

The new Agfa :Avalon N8-60 series and :Avalon N8-80 XT feature an improved recording head design and automation upgrades that enhance image quality, productivity, versatility and sustainability. The N8-60 series and N8-80 XT models support plate sizes from 11.97x12˝ to 45.87x 37.4˝ and output speeds up to 65 plates per hour (pph). They feature automation improvements and an energy-saving standby mode. Both engines have been engineered for optimal output with any of Agfa's thermal plate products including the market-leading chemistry-free plate, :Azura TS, and Agfa's newest long-run, no-bake plate, :Energy Elite Pro.

Grating Light Valve Technology

The Fujifilm Javelin HD 8900 is the latest addition to the Fujifilm thermal CTP family. With its grating light valve (GLV) technology, the Javelin HD 8900 comes in three production models ranging from 33-60+ pph. With optional automation, the Javelin HD 8900 can output up to 500 plates unattended. Fujifilm's Javelin series also includes an 8300 and 8600 series ranging from 8-23 pph. Combine this with Fujifilm's Brillia CTP plates and the GATF InterTech Award-winning ZAC processing technology for a very green CTP solution.

Chemistry-free CTP

Glunz & Jensen's new PlateWriter 3000 is a two-up and four-up chemistry-free CTP system designed for small to mid-size printers. It can produce up to 20 two-up or 10 four-up plates per hour (pph). The system includes a Harlequin-based RIP with a powerful hardware platform and an integrated finishing unit to cure plates without the need for chemicals or processing. Plates are finished using low energy halogen heat sources, then automatically gummed. They do not require processing baths, exposure units or rinsing water, yielding a very low energy consumption plate.

Production Reliability

The Heidelberg Suprasetter A52/A75 has a small footprint to allow easy integration into most print shops. The optional Auto Top Loader (ATL) provides a manual Suprasetter A52/A75 with automated plate loading with slip sheet removal. The cassette holds between 50 and 100 plates depending on the plate thickness. Plate types and formats from 9.45x9.45˝ to 26.38x20.87˝ or 26.38x29.92˝ can be processed. Production reliability is ensured through the Intelligent Diode System (IDS); if a diode fails, operation can continue. The Suprasetter A52/A75 can be configured for conventional, processless and chemical-free thermal plates. An online processor can be connected for conventional thermal plates, a clean-out unit for chemical-free thermal plates, and a plate stacker for processless thermal plates. The Suprasetter A52/A75 has very low energy consumption and heat output compared with other small-format thermal platesetters.

High Productivity, Low Chemistry

Kodak Trillian SP Plates offer a combination of outstanding productivity, reduced chemistry and efficient on-press performance, with potential reductions in plate production costs and environmental impact in comparison to typical digital processed plates currently on the market. A patented negative-working coating provides high sensitivity, excellent resolution, consistency, chemical resistance and durability. In addition to its extraordinarily sharp detail and stability for short- and long-run AM and FM applications, Trillian SP Plates offer fast processing speeds and long-run capabilities without the need for preheating or postbaking. Eliminating the baking steps improves turnaround times, while Trillian SP Plates use up to 70 percent less chemistry than other plates—increasing efficiency while saving on processing costs.

Processless Thermal Fusing

Mitsubishi Imaging offers the two-up, eco-friendly Thermal DigiPlate CTP system, a processless system that uses Mitsubishi Imaging's patented thermal fusing technology to create a high-contrast 1,200-dpi image on the plate without chemical development, wash-off or ablation. The system eliminates the need for chemicals, toner, ink ribbon, processer maintenance and chemical disposal. Targeted at small shops producing one- and two-color jobs, the system outputs 75 pph, handling plates from 10˝ to 18.1˝ wide and 20.8˝ long. The Thermal DigiPlate is comprised of TDP-R175 plate material and the Thermal DigiPlate TDP-459/324 platesetter.

Quality, Flexibility and Productivity

The new PlateRite HD 8900 series eight-up thermal platesetter from Screen (USA) has been engineered for maximum quality, flexibility and productivity. In addition to higher throughput, the PlateRite HD 8900 incorporates a wider plate range and support for 3D printing. It handles plate sizes from 12x12.1˝ to 45.8x37.4˝. Multi-channel imaging heads based on grating light valve technology (GLV) ensure exceptional throughput. Imaging resolutions of 1,200, 2,400, 2,438 and 2,540 dpi are standard. The series features three models: the PlateRite HD 8900E exposes 33 pph when using 40.5x31.4˝ plates at 2,400 dpi; the PlateRite HD 8900S produces 43 pph under the same conditions; the high-capacity PlateRite HD 8900Z has a 1,024-channel imaging head that outputs more than 65 pph.

Thermal Plate Supports Long Runs

Presstek's PhD 830 is a negative working pre-heat thermal plate supporting run lengths of 250,000 without baking and a million plus with an optional post-bake. PhD 830 requires less chemistry and has a wider pre-heat latitude than competitive plate products. This ablation-free plate is designed to use less laser power and to run at the fastest possible imaging speeds. PhD 830 plates support screen resolutions of 1-99 percent at 300 lpi and are FM screening certified. In the pressroom, the plate is highly resistant to chemicals and on-press abrasion.—www.presstek.com

Accurate Calibration Technology

The Xanté PlateMaker 6 total prepress system images paper proofs, film and polyester plates, yielding exact halftones, accurate registration, sharp images, crisp film and clean plates. This chemical- and process-free system gives users the ability to go from proofs to approval, and directly to plate or film, with a single device. Xanté's Z-Dot screening allows the PlateMaker 6 to print Myriad 2 polyester plates with the cleanest screens possible in an electrophotographic process. Xanté's patented Accurate Calibration Technology gives users precise control over horizontal and vertical dimensions on page images, ensuring unmatched output accuracy.