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