IPG PREPRESS GUIDE: Computer-to-plate Systems

Agfa

The Acento II four-up CtP system brings thermal plate imaging in two versions: the Acento II E model and the high-productivity :Acento II S. Acento II images all thermal digital plates sensitized for 830 nm lasers, including Agfa’s :Thermostar Plus, the new :Energy range of plates, as well as chemistry-free :Azura and developer-free :Amigo.

The Avalon family of thermal plate­setters offers increased convenience, reliability and functionality and features Agfa’s new Avalon HD Imaging Head. The Avalon comes in five basic configurations with throughputs ranging from 10 plates per hour (pph) for the LE model to 40 pph for the XXT model. The Avalon XT offers speeds of 23 pph with Agfa’s chemistry-free Azura plate.

The Avalon LF-Violet will offer throughput from between 20 to 30 plates per hour. Using the Grating Light Valve (GLV) design, the Avalon LF-Violet will be available in a manual plate-loading, semi-automatic configuration.

Galileo internal-drum, violet laser diode machines handle 12 plates/hr. (VE), 17 plates/hr. (VS) or 22 plates/hr. (VXT), in formats to 44.5x32.29˝.

Palladio II manual or automatic systems offer violet imaging in a flatbed format and handle plates to 25x29.9˝. The :Palladio II M manual version images 17 plates per hour at 2,400 dpi and 23 at 1,200 dpi, while the fully automatic :Palladio II has a range of automation features and a maximum throughput of 20 plates per hour at 2,400 dpi and 28 at 1,200 dpi.

basysPrint

The basysPrint UV-Setter CTP systems operate in the 360-450 nm wavelength range. As a result, you can choose from practically the entire range of UV-sensitive offset printing plates. Implementing the UV-Setter CTP solution means that one continues to use the existing UV plates, processor(s), chemistry and inventories. A further enhancement is the ability to also image existing proofing materials, such as blue line, DuPont WaterProof and others—without compromising the print customer’s contract proof expectations.

Heidelberg

Quicksetter 300E and Quicksetter 400E image paper, film and polyester plates. Virtual drum technology allows for a 10-micron spot size and 0.0005˝ repeatability. Integrated plate processor. Quicksetter 300E makes plates for Printmaster QM 46 and other portrait feeding presses. Quicksetter 400E for the GTO 52 and other landscape feeding presses.

The new Suprasetter series of external-drum platesetters features integrated plate punches, a choice of fully or semi-automatic plate handling and ability to image multiple plates in different formats. With an imaging format of 29.53x26.77˝, the Suprasetter 74 provides 4-up imaging and makes up to 30 plates/hr. at 2,450 dpi. All models expose 830 nm thermal plates in daylight operation.

The new Prosetter P family of internal-drum platesetters supports violet (405 nm) imaging. Includes the 2-page (26.37x20.66˝) Prosetter P52 with up to 25 plates/hour, 4-page (26.37x29.52˝) Prosetter P74 with 20 plates/hour and PF 74 at 24 plates/hour and 8-page (31.92x41.53˝) Prosetter P102 16 plates/hour and PF 102 up to 20 plates/hour. Features include automatic plate punching and built-in Temperature Compensation.

Kodak

Top-of-the-line Kodak LOTEM 400 Quantum platesetter features SQUAREspot thermal imaging, high throughput, efficient plate handling, ease of use and image quality for four-page printers. Images 25 plates/hr. with advanced automation and proofing capabilities.

Kodak TRENDSETTER 400 Quantum platesetter also features SQUARE­spot imaging but with semi-automatic operation. Supports processless plates, thermal film and proofing media.

Kodak LOTEM 400 platesetter provides image quality, high throughput and efficient plate handling. Easily upgradeable to full automation with a multi-cassette unit, in-line punching and advanced workflow system. Now supports processless plates.

Mitsubishi Imaging

Silver DigiPlate’s paper- and polyester-based versions are perfect for one- to four-color jobs with runs of up to 25,000 impressions. It’s compatible with virtually any platesetter or laser imagesetter on the market today.

SDP-Eco1630III environmentally friendly digital platesetting system for monochrome, spot color and process-color applications up to 165⁄16x2213⁄16˝, features a top resolution of 2,400 dpi. The SDP-Eco 1630III is automated so it requires a minimum of training to operate and a minimum of time to produce press-ready plates. Its high-speed imaging technology can produce up to 78 plates per hour at 1,200 dpi.

DPX System, true internal drum platesetter, integrates all the phases of CTP production into a fully automated process, including imaging, sizing, processing and pre-punching. Ideal for 4-color printing jobs with plates sizes up to 18.1x21.6˝, the DPX System produces quality plates at up to 175 line screen, in perfect register, on Silver Digi­Plate.

DPX Lite platesetter is for printers running portrait or duplicator presses. It provides the benefits of internal drum platesetting along with flexibility in plate size and resolution. The DPX Lite will streamline production by producing pre-punched, press-ready plates from 10x10˝ up to 13.3x21.6˝.

The DPX 4 produces press-ready plates, up to 26.7x29.5˝, with a minimum of operator intervention. The plates are automatically loaded, punched, exposed, processed, dried and ready for press.

Presstek

Dimension Excel CTP systems are available in two- or four-page formats. Can be configured as a standard (Dimension 225 and 425, up to 11 plates/hr. at 2,540 dpi) or high-production (Dimension 250 and 450, up to 17 plates/hr. at 2,540 dpi) platemakers.

Vector TX52 is a two-page thermal platesetter that supports Presstek’s Freedom plates in sizes up to 20x21˝. Features a compact design, integrated water wash unit and outputs up to 20 plates/hr. at 2,400 dpi. Provides the advantages of metal-based CTP at a competitive cost to polyester.

DPM34 SC and HSC output a maximum plate size of 13.375˝, with the HSC version capable of producing 40 polyester plates/hr. Features unique ThinDrum technology.

RIPit

The SpeedSetter VM CtP series offers small- and mid-sized printers features of an advanced digital workflow in a complete, open, economical and flexible system. New SpeedSetter VM4 is a violet metal, 4-Up CtP and is part of a complete, turnkey CtP system which also includes RIPit’s OpenRIP Symphony core RIP. Economical options include imposition and trapping, proofing and screening. Customers can also add a photopolymer plate processor and plate pH chemistry neutralizer (for disposal).

Screen (U.S.A.)

PlateRite 4100 and 4300 (4/6 page) platesetters are external-drum units with 16- and 32-channel infrared laser diodes, respectively. Handle a maximum plate size of 32.7x26˝ and minimum of 12.8x14.5˝, in thicknesses from 0.15 to 0.3 mm. Output 10 and 20 plates/hr., respectively, in a 28.5x24.2˝ format at 2,400 dpi. SA‑L single-cassette (both) or MA-L multiple-cassette (4300 only) autloaders available as options.

PlateRite 8100 is an affordable 8-page, external-drum platesetter with 16-channel laser diode head that supports resolutions of 2,400 and 2,540 dpi. Minimum plate size of 17.7x14.6˝ and maximum of 45.6x37˝, in thicknesses from 0.15 to 0.3 mm. Produces 8 plates/hr. in 40.6x31.5˝ format. SA‑L 8100 single-cassette autoloader holds 30 plates.

PlateRite 8000II thermal platesetter handles plates from 17.7x14.5˝ to 45.6x37˝. The 8-page, external-drum unit uses a 32-channel infrared laser diode to image resolutions from 1,200 to 4,000 dpi. Outputs 13 plates/hr. at 2,400 dpi. SA-L single-cassette or MA-L multiple-cassette autoloader options.

PlateRite 8600 thermal platesetter features a 64-channel infrared laser diode to expose 17 plates/hr. at 2,400 dpi. It handles plates from 19.6x14.5˝ to 45.6x37˝. The 8-page, external-drum machine supports resolutions from 1,200 to 4,000 dpi. SA-L single-cassette or MA-L multiple-cassette auto­loader options.

PlateRite 8800II features a 512-channel laser diode in an exposure head based on Grating Light Valve (GLV) technology, enabling it to image more than 35 plates/hr. in a 40.5x37˝ format at 2,400 dpi. Supports media sizes from 17.7x14.5˝ to 45.6x37˝, and a choice of four resolutions: 1,200, 2,400, 2,438 and 2,540 dpi.

PlateRite Ultima 16000 thermal platesetter handles formats from 25.6x21.6˝ to 57.9x45.9˝. Incorporates a 512-channel laser diode imaging unit. Images 23 plates/ hr. when outputting 57x45˝ plates at 2,400 dpi.

Xanté

The Xanté Impressia Metal PlateSetter, powered by Z-7 Technology is an affordable, metal CTP solution for two-up portrait presses. Workflow is streamlined with a built-in Adobe PostScript 3 RIP, traditionally grained aluminum and chemical-free plates, and an easy-to-use system. The Impressia Metal PlateSetter uses Radiant Exposure Technology, which incorporates radiant light to automatically expose plates. The Impressia requires no external processing units—not even a rinsing unit. It outputs 60 plates an hour at a cost of just $2.30 per plate. The maximum plate size is 13.38x19.87˝.

The new PlateMaker5 is designed to produce polyester plates, film and paper proofs for small print shops in need of a low cost, chemical-free CTP system. Its breakthrough Z-Dot technology brings drastically improved halftones and tighter registration to the two-up portrait marketplace. Z-Dot technology allows for more control over dot gain while also enabling photographs and screens to be imaged smoothly with 256 shades of gray (150 lpi). Z-7 technology ensures clean plates, sharp images, accurate registration and exact halftones.