Lorna BorgheseNE Region Newspaper Account Manager
Plates and Plate imaging technology
• Non-Vendor Specific– General Discussion
• Hardware Considerations
• Current Plate Technologies– Violet– Thermal
• Technology– “Environmental” considerations – Viability as proper working tool
Technology ComparisonViolet
• Lower equipment investment cost– More flexibility for
redundancy
• High PPH to meet throughput needs
• Does not support true processless plate technology– Amber room lighting
required – Small amount of effluent to
dispose
Thermal
• Higher equipment cost (incl. CSA’s etc)
• PPH depends on plate technology (wider range of mj/cm)
• Supports “true Processless” plate technology– No effluent
Violet• Single Page speeds of 90-400 PPH, depending
on budget and automation– Can needs be met with one device?– Need redundancy?
• Cost effective to buy 1 or 2 platesetter units, evaluate PPH throughput and redundancy needs
• Violet plate technology– “Lo-Chem” - one processing finisher (gum) based chemistry – no water rinse required
Violet Process Flow“Lo-Chem”
Pre-press
Press
Violet – Low Chem Interim Evaluation Method
• Existing processor modified for interim evaluation
• Allows for temporary evaluation and easy transition, if needed.–Little to no disruption to in-line plate benders, transport, sortation, etc
Finishing Solution
FreshWater Rinse
Finisher
Single Stage System• Smaller footprint & easier maintenance
– May need to reconfigure in-line equipment to accommodate shorter processor
• Simple system, 1 solution for development
• Replenishment not needed to maintain bath activity
• Eliminates:
– Pre-wash water
– Post wash water
– Dedicated FinisherPre-heat Dryer1 Stage
FinishingSolution only
Double Stage System
• Eliminates:
– Pre-rinse water
– Post rinse water
– Dedicated Finisher section
Pre-heat 1st Stage DryerFinishingSolution only
2nd Stage FinishingSolution only
Violet Low Chem “Deliverables”• Better environmental solution than traditionally processed plate• Run length and resolution suitable for broadsheet and single wide
market• No need to control developer activity — simple, 1-step finishing solution• Low replenishment — in some cases just top-up with water; to replace
evaporation• Improved chemical yield per unit
• Minimized waste amount (less total volume)• No water for pre-wash, rinse
• No need for finishing gum• Limited maintenance and cleaning efforts• Same handling as traditional CTP plates• Smaller footprint when using dedicated machine• Hardware is cost effective for capital budget• Reliable processing system, few moving parts , smaller footprint
Thermal• Single page speeds of 70-300 PPH, depending
on plate imaging speed , budget and automation– Can needs be met with one device?– Need redundancy?
• Cost effective to buy 1 or 2 platesetter units, evaluate PPH throughput and redundancy needs
• Thermal plate technology– “True Processless” – “Non-Process”
Thermal Process Flow – Process Free Plates
Pre-press
Press
Non-Process Operating Principle on Press
BeforeExposure
Exposure Fountain SolutionApplied
InkApplied
Basic Mechanism of Operation
Step2 Step3
On-press “development” of non-exposed area
Step 1 — Dispersion by permeation of dampening solution
Step 2 — Reduction of adhesive strength
Step 3 — Expulsion of thermo sensitive layer to start up paper
Step1
Non-Process Plate, after press run
• Non-Process– Non-Process plate will have the same structure to deliver normal ink/water balance–Once “developed” by running on press with normal startup sequence, should run like a normal thermal Plate
A AExp. Dev. Print
Image after Exposure
Plate inspection
AExp. Print
Image after Exposure
Ordinary Plate
Non-Process Plate
Image for Printing
Plate inspection
Plate Visibility
Visibility okay for:
•Job number
•Crop Marks
•Text/Font
•Optical Bender (specific light ring may be required )
How to manage:
Densitometry
Screen Frequency
Screen Angles
“To Ink” Technology
Operating principle:
Non-image area coating disperses when dampened by the fountain solution.
Non-image coating releases from the the grained aluminum substrate due to ink tack/transfer
The dispersed coating is moved by the ink to the plate, transferred to the blanket, then sheet and is then expelled out of the press in the start up waste sheets.
Ecomaxx-T
Questions