Fujifilm Luxel V-6e

The value for money offered by Fujifilm Luxel V-6e makes it a right choice for printers operating in small towns like Satara, says Atul Chaphekar of Suprint

11 Apr 2013 | By PrintWeek India

Describe your company?
Based in Satara, a town in Maharashtra, Suprint Offset Printers was established in 1996 when we leaped from our three generation old business of letterpress to offset printing with the installation of a brand new Komori Enthrone press. Suprint produces offset printed cartons and labels for export-oriented packaging market especially for food, pharma and agro-based industry. Besides Komori Enthrone, Suprint’s set-up comprises of a Fujifilm Luxel V-6e, Fuji’s plate processor, Max Machinery’s single-colour offset press and two Polar cutting machines. 

What does the machine do?
The Fujifilm Luxel V-6e, which replaced the conventional imagesetter, is a flexible entry-level 4-up platesetter which exposes violet plates. It caters to our in-house requirements.
 
Why did you choose this particular system? 
We were looking for a cost-effective violet technology CTP solution for our inhouse plate requirements. Malhotra Graphics, the dealer of Fujifilm, who provided us the imagesetter offered us to replace it with the Fujifilm Luxel V-6e. The machine not only suited our budgets but also provided impressive plate quality. 
 
Did you look at any other similar systems?
We did look at some options but this machine perfectly matched our expectations hence we didn’t evaluate any other kit.
 
What features do you particularly like?
Well, most of the features are excellent in terms of the platesetting technology, in particular the minimum dot gain it delivers. That its a violet technology reduces the cost of ownership and is more environmentally-friendly.
 
Is there anything that you wish it had that it doesn’t?
It has everything which is required for reproducing quality.
 
How fast is it?
It throughputs 20 plates of 20x30inch per hour.
 
How reliable is it?
This is an extremely reliable kit. Till date we have produced more than 25,000 plates with zero wastage during exposure, development or while using the plates for producing prints on the press.
 
How easy is it to use?
It is a user-friendly machine with the design that allows us to choose the level of output productivity for our needs. A new operator can be trained in less than three days.
How much time or money has it saved?
As we shifted from conventional pre-press set-up with this CTP system, we were able to save costs of conventional platemaking, those incurred in positives, negatives, developing chemicals. We were able to cut short the time required for platemaking by four times.
 
Has it won you any new work?
With this machine we enhanced the quality of jobs we produced. It helped us increase our local customers and walk-in clients. 
 
Would you say that it offers value for money?
Certainly, rather I would say it offers more value considering the cost I have paid for the kit.
 
Were there any difficulties experienced during the installation or after?
Nothing in particular.
 
What about the pre and after-sale service?
The pre- and after-sales service provided by Fujifilm and Malhotra Graphics is excellent. Problems are resolved promptly. They have really good team of persons for service.
 
Who do you think the system is right for?
The system is right for small print service providers catering to short-run jobs.
 
Under what circumstances would you buy another?
If at all we invest in another offset press in future, we would buy a platesetter from Fujifilm.

Conclusion
User’s verdict
Speed 5/5
Quality 5/5
Reliability 5/5
Value for money 5/5
Supplier’s Response
Abhishek Warang, regional sales manager west, at Fujifilm India, says, “Our violet platesetters have an established track record of reliability, quality, productivity and low cost of ownership, combined with a wide range of flexible automation options to suit requirements on any scale. And, when used in conjunction with our violet plates, they offer extended run lengths. The installation at Suprint in Satara went smoothly, something which was facilitated by Suprint’s willingness to whole-heartedly embrace the new technology into its pre-press operation. The huge time and cost savings Suprint has realised through the Luxel V-6e is testament not only to the violet technology, but also the fantastic ongoing relationship that exists between us and Suprint.
Contact
Fujifilm India
Abhishek Warang
abhishek.warang@fujifilmindia.com
+91 8879000540
+91 22 42364000