Computer-to-plate Update

Thermal Platesetter

The :Avalon N4 thermal CTP system, from Agfa Graphics, provides high-quality thermal platesetting for four-up and six-up printing. It features separate loading and unloading bays, so that one printing plate can be staged while another is being imaged. Optional automatic plate loading and handling allows the :Avalon N4 to run uninterrupted for hours at a time. Minimum plate size is 12.75x14.56˝ and maximum plate size is 25.9x32.67˝. Agfa’s :Azura TS chemistry-free plates eliminate hazardous chemicals for more consistent imaging and fewer production steps. —www.agfa.com

Functionality at a Reasonable Price

Designed to meet the financial needs of today’s customers, the new Fujifilm Javelin 8600SL CTP solution offers carefully selected functionality at a reasonable price. The 8600SL offers unique external drum registration, high-precision optic technologies and productivity up to 22 plates per hour. A variety of field options gives customers the flexibility to create a semi-automatic or a multi-cassette fully automated solution, plus the ability to add automatic inline press punching. —www.fujifilmgraphics.com

Chemistry-free CTP

The Glunz & Jensen 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. —www.glunz-jensen.com

Small But Powerful

The Heidelberg Suprasetter A52/A75 has a strikingly small footprint. Even with full automation it is the smallest platesetter in its class. It can be configured for semi-automatic or fully automatic operation. The Auto Top Loader (ATL) can hold 50 to 100 plates and the Dual Top Loader (DTL) offers two plate sizes with up to 100 plates. Slip sheet removal is automatic. The Suprasetter A52/75 uses laser technology developed by Heidelberg, and offers reliable and excellent imaging quality including AM, FM and hybrid screening. The Suprasetter A52/A75 reportedly has the lowest energy consumption and heat output compared with other small-format thermal platesetters. —www.heidelberg.com

Accurate, Stable Imaging

The Kodak Trendsetter 400 platesetter features Kodak Square­spot Imaging Technology, providing accurate, stable, repeatable imaging that results in fewer plate remakes. The Trendsetter 400 offers the flexibility to image two-page to six-page plate sizes with throughputs up to 43 plates per hour. With the optional Autoloader, which loads and unloads up to 40 plates without slip sheets, throughput rises to 50 plates per hour. It handles plate sizes ranging from 101⁄2x81⁄2˝ to 33x39˝. The Trendsetter 400 provides 450 lpi screening and up to 2,400 dpi resolution. —www.graphics.kodak.com

Thermal Fusing

The processless two-up Thermal DigiPlater TDP-459 from Mitsubishi Imaging can be specified as a CTP platesetter or as a thermal film imager. Both models use Mitsubishi’s patented thermal fusing technology to create a high-contrast 1,200-dpi image without chemical development, wash-off or ablation. The Thermal DigiPlater TDP-459 is targeted at small shops producing one- and two-color jobs, and it outputs clean plates at 75 pph, in widths ranging from 9˝ to 18.1˝ and lengths up to 25.9”. The thermal film imager utilizes 5 mil thermal graphic arts film, which is perfect for narrow flexo web and more.
—www.mitsubishiimaging.com

78 Plates Per Hour

The Presstek DPM Pro 400 is a fully automated, high-resolution digital CTP system that produces up to 78 plates per hour. Its speed, ease-of-use, compact size, daylight-safe operation and versatility to make polyester or paper-based plates make it the ideal CTP solution for small-format presses. Its internal processor consumes minimal chemistry, thereby reducing overall cost of ownership for this already affordable system. Presstek’s CTP portfolio ranges from two-page polyester to fully-automated eight-page systems, many of which are chemistry-free.
—www.presstek.com

Quality and Reliability

The entry-level PlateRite 4300E and high-speed PlateRite 4300S platesetters from Screen U.S.A. bring quality and reliability to the production of two-up to six-up plates. The 4300E’s 16-channel laser diode imaging head supports resolutions of 2,400 dpi, 2,438 dpi and 2,540 dpi. The 4300S uses a 32-channel head, supporting resolutions from 1,200 dpi to 4,000 dpi. At 2,400 dpi, the 4300E can output up to 11 plates per hour, while the 4300S can output 21 pph. —www.screenusa.com

Affordable CTP Solution

The Xanté PlateMaker 5 lets users go directly from paper proof to plate or film, without processing or chemicals. Z-7 imaging technology enables production of high-resolution polyester plates, film and paper (up to 2,400 dpi/150 lpi) with sharper images, cleaner halftones and accurate registration. Myriad 2 fine grain polyester plates offer run lengths of 20,000+ impressions and a plate size up to 13.375x19.875˝. iQueue 7 prepress workflow makes it easy to handle complex digital files, apply imposition, template, add printer’s marks, adjust screening and more. —www.xante.com