CTP launches at Drupa 2012

Agfa Graphics has introduced two new high-speed platesetters for the high-volume newspaper market. The Advantage N PL HS (pallet-load, high-speed) and the Advantage N TR HS (trolley-load, high-speed), both produce up to 350 printing plates per hour.

Basysprint has launched its next generation of 4-up and 8-up CTP UV platesetter for digital exposure of UV-sensitive offset printing plates. The new UV-Setter Series 460x and Series 860x deliver resolutions of up to 2,400dpi.

Fujifilm has launched the Flenex DLE (Direct Laser Engraving) B2 CTP system, which Fujifilm says offers an “incredibly simple and high-quality method of producing flexo plates”.

Heidelberg unveiled the 5,080dpi version of its Suprasetter A52/A75 Suprasetter. Also, a new compact Auto/Dual cassette loader for the Suprasetter 105 was unveiled with a smaller processor to reduce chemistry and power usage.

Kodak showcased its Achieve all-in-one CTP System, which it says delivers “all the benefits of Kodak’s thermal imaging technology, such as exceptional image quality, true stability on press and operational efficiencies”. 

The Kodak Achieve CTP System is currently being introduced in the Asia-Pacific region. Later in the year, availability will expand into emerging markets in Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

These models are on the radar of most Indian commercial print players. More than 250 platesetters are expected to be installed in India in 2012. This includes 200 brand-new platesetters and 50 refurbished platesetters. This is an improvement on the number of installations for 2010-11 of 210 platesetters which included 164 new platesetters and 46 refurbished platesetters.