Consumables
VIM Technologies shows advanced processless offset plate technologies at Drupa
Friday 09. May 2008 - At Drupa VIM Technologies will introduce two brand new processless plate technologies that will join its established DP-R material to form a strong range of highly affordable materials with great environmental credentials.
The new materials are: VIM JT Direct Inkjet Offset Plate, for imaging with standard inkjet printers and inks; and DP-S, a waterless offset aluminium plate for imaging in standard thermal platesetters, with no chemical processing required other than a simple aqueous wash stage.
“VIM JT Direct Inkjet Plate is the worlds first offset plate suitable for imaging on low cost, unmodified inkjet printers using their standard aqueous pigment inks,” explains VIM founder and CEO Avigdor Bieber. The material will be available in aluminium sheets and polyester rolls, both suited to run lengths of up to 10,000 impressions on the press.
“The key is our advanced plate coating, that can accept the standard inkjet printer aqueous pigment ink, unlike other inkjet-imaged plates that require special solvent-based inks,” Mr Bieber explains. “Afterwards the plates are passed through a low-cost heating unit which hardens the coating for the press.”
“This means that standard printers and inks can be used without voiding the manufacturers warranties,” he adds. “The same printer can also be used for full-colour proofing with no ink change, saving space and investment for the user.”
The VIM JT Direct Inkjet Plate will be initially available for the Epson Stylus Pro inkjet range with standard UltraChrome inks. VIM Technologies is also working on materials compatible with the Canon imagePROGRAF 5100 inkjets in the near future, with HP Designjets to follow.
* For full details see the attached press release “VIM Technologies announces revolutionary offset plates for imaging by standard inkjet printers.”
VIM DP-S is a metal plate printing for more than 30,000 impressions on any waterless offset press, for instance the KBA Genius 52, and waterless configurations of the KBA Rapida. It can be imaged in any thermal platesetter with no need for chemical processing. After imaging it is passed through a simple washing unit which cleans off any residue with a dilute mild soap solution, emerging dry and ready for the press.
It is also suited to direct imaging presses that accept metal waterless plates, such as the KBA 74 Karat, Heidelberg GTO-DI and Kammann DISC 1140 CD printer.
* Full details are available in the attached press release “VIM Technologies introduces a processless metal plate for waterless offset litho.”
Also shown at Drupa will be the established VIM DP-R polyester plate material for direct-imaging offset litho plates. The material was introduced in 2005 for the Heidelberg Quickmaster DI models plus the Ryobi 3404DI and its variants sold under different names (such as KBA 46 Karat). This material has proved a very successful seller worldwide through more than 30 dealerships. It costs less than its main competitor while offering longer press-runs and superior printed quality.
On its Drupa stand (Hall 7a stand 9B) VIM Technologies will display its complete plate range together with printed samples. Production of the new JT Direct Inkjet Plate will be demonstrated live on the stand using an Epson Stylus Pro inkjet, demonstrating a complete workflow from original file to finished press-ready plate.