Handling ctp technology introduction

About a decade ago, the entire printing industry was still waiting for the arrival of the CTP era. After experiencing initial confusion and confusion, printers are now able to choose the right product for their various plates and platesetters. Some plates are not completely unprocessed—they need to be washed with an imaged potion or developed on the press with fountain solution—but the plates are also environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

The resistance-free printing force of the current plate-free printing plate can reach 100,000 printing. Ray Cassino, Head of Prepress Products at Heidelberger, said: “We first saw the rapid promotion of chemical-free processing technology in quadruple printing plants.” He attributed the rapid development of this technology mainly to their small size.

Jack Weethoff, global manager of digital printing at Kodak’s Graphic and Imaging Group, said: “We designed the process-free plates specifically for small to medium-sized printers.” He added that although Kodak currently offers two types of violet laser plates, However, they still insist that thermal plates are a good choice for most customers. In the following, we will focus on some of the latest thermal-free CTP technologies that are free of process and chemical-free flushing, as well as the emerging violet laser plates.

Agfa

Agfa's: Azura (chemical-free processing plate system has been put into use since 2003 in November 2004, has been used in more than 300 printing and prepress companies around the world. As the Agfa thermal CTP plate making machine The only solution, : Azura plates can now also be used with a number of brands of platemaking machines, such as: Screen PlateRite, Kodak's Trendsetter and Lotem, Luscher's Expose, and Heidelberg's Topsetter and Suprasetter and so on.

Agfa's marketing manager Susan Wittner explained: "Azura plate is not a closed system - it can be used on any plate machine. Users who already have thermal CTP can also get rid of the troubles of processing plates. Use Azura plates on their own platesetters. In short, Azura plates don't require you to prepare special equipment for it.” Azura (Green Star) is a granular anodized aluminum thermal plate that it uses to obtain The patented ThermoFuse technology enables images to be formed without chemical treatment. People only need to take a clear step after the plate imaging to enhance the contrast. In addition, Azura plates can also be processed in daylight.

At Ipex, Agfa will launch a new generation: Acento and Palladio quad- or B2-format CTP systems. Users can upgrade the Acento II E system to a more productive Acento II S system. The new roller balancing system enables it to be used in a variety of small format printers. Acento II is said to be able to generate thermal digital plates at a laser intensity of 830 nanometers. Plate sizes range from 12.75 x 14.56 inches to 25.98 x 32.67 inches, allowing small and medium-sized commercial printers and packaging houses to print high-quality imprints. Edition production requirements.

Fuji / Enovation

The Brillia HD PRO-T process-free thermal plate introduced by Fujifilm on PRINT 05 is now in beta (software) and will be officially launched on April 1, 2006.

In addition, Fujifilm is also developing a non-ablative chemical-free processing plate made of a photosensitive resin. This product is expected to meet with everyone in 2007. It will have many features of Fujifilm's existing LP-NV plate, such as the ability to print with UV ink and solvent ink without drying; Excellent resistance to printing and can be handled under yellow safety. It is said that the development of this product mainly depends on the commercial application of high-energy violet laser technology.

Fujifilm's new process-free plate is based on a new high-definition plate emulsion layer technology that enables the performance of the new plate during the printing process with Fuji's existing CTP. Plates remain the same. The Brillia HD PRO-T is compatible with most thermal (830 nm) platesetters and can clearly reproduce 1% to 99% dot at 200 lpi resolution or 300 lpi resolution Mixed- and FM-screened images, which are non-ablative plates, can have a latent image that is convenient for people to examine after imaging. When used on the press, the Brillia HD PRO-T plate will be smeared with ink and fountain solution, and only a small amount (similar to a traditional PS or CTP plate) will be used for full speed production. status. MultiGrain technology also enables it to achieve excellent ink balance like Fuji's existing CTP plates.

It is said that the exposure of Brillia HD PRO-T plate is similar to that of Fuji's existing thermal plate, which is about 120 mJ/cm2, so its production speed can be consistent with the existing plate. This plate has a 100,000 impression of resistance and can meet the needs of most commercial printers and can be processed in daylight.

Brillia HD PRO-T plates can be used on a variety of platesetters, but it is best to use Fujifilm's Dart and Javelin thermal CTP devices.

Fujifilm's quad-joint Dart series thermal platesetters, Dart E and Dart III, have drum rotation speeds of 1,000 rpm. With a 32-channel laser diode exposure head, the Dart III can output 20 four-page plates per hour at a resolution of 2,400 dpi. The Dart E has a 16-channel laser diode exposure head, so it can produce ten identical plates per hour. Dart III claims to be able to produce larger format plates, and it is suitable for medium-sized printing plants.

Dart E was also released on PRINT 05. It can be used in conjunction with a processless plate, and is suitable for print shops that have used CTP technology for the first time, because it is relatively inexpensive, with less than $90,000.

Presstek

Presstek's Dimension CTP System and Anthem Thermal Plates provide users with greater ease of use while delivering productivity and quality. Presstek's Anthem anodized alumina chemical-free processing plates have good ink balance and are compatible with a wide range of press chemistry. After imaging, this plate needs only to be washed with water, without baking or gluing. It can only be imaged with laser light from 800 to 1,200 nanometers and can be processed in daylight.

The Dimension Excel platesetter can now output two- and four-page format plates, and can be configured as standard (Dimension 225 and 425) or high-productivity (Dimension 250, 450) devices. These devices are small in size and are ideally suited for use with Presstek's chemical-free Anthem plates and process-free Applause metal plates.

Presstek's chemical-free Freedom Thermal Plate enables imaging on Vector TX52 platesetters for small format (less than 52 cm) printing plants. If you want to know more about this product, let us pay attention to the IPEX exhibition that will be held in April.

Kodak

Kodak's Thermal Direct process-free plate was officially unveiled on PRINT 05. It has a traditional grained anodized aluminum surface, which makes it look and feel pre-coated with aluminum. According to Kodak, the Thermal Direct plate is compatible with almost all mainstream CTP platesetters and can be used with a variety of inks and fountain solutions.

Thermal Direct has a unique thermal-sensitive coating that is 70% thinner than conventional photolithographic violet laser plates and 38% thinner than typical thermal plates that need to be processed. Placing the resin on the plate prevents the plate coating from being dissolved by the printer's fountain solution.

Kodak also reduced the coating color of Thermal Direct printing plates, eliminating the potential risk of ink roller polishing, and its retention of colorants is still sufficient to produce a clear image to make it easier for people to identify plates on the press cylinder. The right position.

This printing plate is capable of achieving 100,000 impressions under ideal printing conditions and can reproduce 1% to 98% of dots at a resolution of 200 lpi. Thermal Direct is said to be capable of handling for one hour under white light or four hours under the illumination of a yellow safety light.

Thermal Direct Plate is part of the Kodak All-in-One exemption package. This package is a complete four-page CTP prepress solution that includes a Magnus 400 imaging device and a Prinergy Evo PDF processor.

Heidelberg

Heidelberger has released Saphira Chemfree chemical-free processing plates for PRINT 05 worldwide. This shade type aluminum version is sold with the Heidelberg Suprasetter platesetter.

The new printing plate was developed on the basis of the Saphira Thermoplate PL of the Speedmaster SM 74 DI printer. Saphira Chemfree chemical-free processing plates use a new type of latex coating technology called micro spheres. This coating is non-ablative and eliminates the variable elements of traditional thermal plate processing. Suprasetter's patented thermal laser (830 nm) fuses the microspheres on the underlying metal and exposes the plate to print images.

Suprasetters in Heidelberg are able to provide customers with multiple functions in plate processing, format conversion and punching, and are available in a variety of models, from basic 4- or 8-page models to Single Cassette Loader (SCL) and fully automatic Multi Cassette Loader (MCL), etc., can meet the needs of different users. The new internal punching method it uses ensures maximum hole punching accuracy, which keeps it in optimal alignment with Heidelberg and other presses on the market.

Heidelberg also independently developed a new type of laser that is said to bring superior image quality and maximum productivity. At the same time it can also increase output by adding modules. The Intelligent Diode System guarantees continuous production, even in the event of a diode failure, without any significant impact on production performance.

Xanté

The non-photosensitive Aspen metal plates are designed specifically for Xanté's Impressia metal platesetter, which enables people to achieve chemical-free and rinse-free plate production workflows in daylight environments. Its maximum resistance to print can reach 25,000 impressions, and the size of this printing plate is from 10 x 15 inches to 13.38 x 19.87 inches.

The Xanté Impressia metal platesetter is an affordable metal CTP solution that is ideal for use in two-up vertical printers that use traditional grained aluminum plates and chemical-free plates. Xanté's imaging technology enables users to automate calibrations.

RIPit

RIPit offers small format printers a variety of cost-effective products that do not require chemical treatment. For example, CTP users can choose one of its plate pH chemical neutralizers to process plates. In addition, Citiplate is also developing an RIPit-free, process-free digital plate for use with RIPit's SpeedSetter Violet Metal (VM) CTP system. Thanks to the use of the Citiplate process-free violet laser photosensitive resin technology, these process-free RIPit plates can be self-developed during the printing process.

Processing-free RIPit violet laser digital plates are expected to meet consumers in 2006 through RIPit's already established sales channels.

ECRM

According to the introduction of ECRM Imaging Systems, MAKO System 4x can point customers to a bright road to violet laser processing technology.

The maximum plate size that the MAKO System 4 can produce is 24.2 x 29.3 inches. It takes advantage of a new generation of optical technology that can provide customers with higher imaging accuracy. In addition, the MAKO System 4x can also produce plates from 8.9 x 9.9 inches to 26.0 x 37.8 inches for a variety of presses. The MAKO System 4x can provide resolutions ranging from 1,200 to 3,556 dpi, and it can produce plates of more than 20 Speedmaster 74 presses per hour at a resolution of 2,540 dpi.