Featured Products - March 2012
Round- or Flat-Top Dots
EskoArtwork's Inline UV2 is an inline UV exposure unit for Cyrel Digital Imagers that offers flexo printers the flexibility to select the type of print dot—either round-top or flat-top—according to the specific job requirements. Printers can offer their clients the best of both worlds in terms of dot quality. Round-top dots offer vignettes down to zero with the finest minimum dots, while flat-top dots offer best-in-class solids, due to their high solid ink density. With a simple click of a switch printers select the dot shape according to the job requirements—from plate to plate or sleeve to sleeve. www.esko.com
Thermal Plates
Agfa Graphics' :Energy Elite Pro thermal plate features a higher sensitivity (up to 20 percent faster) and supports greater variations in exposure conditions. The printing plate provides excellent tonal range and high line screen capability (1-99 percent at 200 lpi, :Sublima XM screening, and 20 micron) due to its enhanced dual-layer coating technology. The chemical resistant second layer and the improved mechanical resistance enable longer run lengths under aggressive press conditions including UV inks, without the need for baking. :Energy Elite Pro is designed for use with a wide variety of plate setters and thermal processors, including Agfa Graphics' high-speed :Avalon N8-80XT.
www.agfa.com
Direct Engraving Material
AVCE, a new high-performance direct engraving material specifically designed for laser engraving systems manufactured by Stork Prints and other leading companies, is now available from Anderson & Vreeland. This material is imaged by direct laser ablation in a one-step process that delivers excellent ink transfer, dimensional stability and durability, approximately 30 percent faster processing, and plate resolution up to 200 lpi for flexography and 250 lpi for letterpress. AVCE lets the user control the engraving parameters that affect dot shape and support, producing precise results that can be formulated to match printing requirements. www.andersonvreeland.com
Digital Plates
nyloflex® FAM Digital printing plates, now available worldwide, provide clean printing of fine image elements and smooth solids. They are suitable for a broad range of applications, but are especially applicable for flexible packaging. Usable for both absorbent and non-absorbent substrates ranging from textured to very smooth surfaces, the plates are able to print fine process details as well as solids. nyloflex FAM Digital plates require a low impression setting and exhibit a long run life with less cleaning stops on press. The plates are offered in 1.14 mm and 1.70 mm thicknesses. www.flintgrp.com
It's FAST
DuPont™ Cyrel® FAST TD4260 allows trade shops, printers/converters, and others to produce high-quality flexo plates quickly by combining the efficiency and speed of digital platemaking, with the productivity and environmental benefits of dry, thermal plate processing. The thermal developer can process plates up to 42˝ in width and 60˝ in length with a thickness up to 0.112˝.
www2.dupont.com
Wide Format Thermal Platemaking
At drupa, MacDermid will showcase its new LAVA™ 5080 Thermal Plate Processor. This processor will enable printers and plate reproduction houses to create plates up to 50˝ x 80˝, allowing wide web printers to gain further access to the benefits of thermal plate processing. The LAVA 5080 enables high-volume platemakers to take advantage of improved productivity and workflow, creating press-ready plates in under an hour. www.macdermid.com
Platesetter Automation
For drupa, Heidelberg has equipped its CtP imaging systems in the Suprasetter series with new functions for more versatile application options, higher productivity, and lower environmental impact. A smaller processor for the Suprasetter 105 ACL/DCL helps to cut chemical and power consumption. In addition, the fully automatic Auto/Dual Cassette Loader (ACL/DCL) plate-loading unit is the latest automation concept for the Suprasetter 105 and Suprasetter A105. The cassette compartments and a conveyor are integrated into the system, thereby reducing space requirements by up to 45 percent.
www.heidelberg.com
Thermal Plate
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 is designed to require less chemistry and have a wider pre-heat latitude. The 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. www.presstek.com
Flat Top Dot
PRPflexo has developed FX ExSpect®, a flat-top-dot plate technology designed to maximize print quality on flexible packaging. FX ExSpect is the fourth installment in the company's ExSpect® suite of plate solutions, delivering better ink transfer and solid density, while reducing excessive dot gain, and keeping halftones open and detail at its maximum. www.prpflexo.com
