New CTP Brings Amazing Speed

An upgraded computer-to-plate system at Securian Financial Group's in-plant has productivity soaring at the St. Paul, Minn.-based operation.

The 46-employee in-plant just replaced its Screen (U.S.A.) PlateRite 8000 with a new PlateRite 8800ZX, which can image 50 plates per hour at 2,400 dpi. This has made a tremendous difference in the time it takes to burn plates for the shop's six-color, 40˝ Heidelberg press. Those plates used to take up to six minutes to image, says Bob Corey, systems technician. Not any more.

"It takes 58 seconds," he says. "It's so fast."

Plates for the shop's 13˝ Ryobi and 12˝ Halm Jet press used to take 2.5 minutes, and then have to be cut down to the right size. Now they take 14 seconds, Corey says, and they're ready to go.

Recently, during a press check, the in-plant had to stop the press and burn a new plate.

"We could do it in two minutes now, instead of 15 minutes," remarks Corey.

The speed isn't the only thing he likes about the 8800ZX, though. It's much quieter than the 8000, he says, and images are a lot sharper.

"We had a very noticeable increase in the dot quality," he says.

Also, the system talks to him—via e-mail. If the plate size is too small or a diode needs adjustment, the 8800ZX sends him a message.

The in-plant is currently using Kodak Sword Excel plates, but is looking into processless plates. IPG