CTP - Computer to Plate
Environmentally friendly, Chemistry free, Processor free… Press ready aluminium plates directly from a desktop.
Monday 27. October 2008 - In the past few years, the number of chemistry-free CtP solutions on the market has grown rapidly.
The majority of the new products are designed for large-scale production and have an equally as large price tag. This has made chemistry-free solutions unattainable for smaller offset printers, in-plant printers and the high-street quick printer. However, Glunz & Jensen, renowned for supplying over 50% of the graphic industrys CtP processors worldwide, is pleased to announce the launch of the PlateWriter 2000 – a second generation CtP plate maker.
Priced at US$ 25,000, the PlateWriter 2000 is a B3 (2-up) format plate maker designed for small and medium-format printers who are looking for an affordable chemistry and processor free CtP.
Glunz & Jensens PlateWriter 2000 is a proud addition to our family of existing environmentally friendly plate makers. It eliminates all chemicals and processing by implementing inkjet technology to “print” the image onto a blank plate, unlike traditional laser-based CtP systems, which expose an image onto a pre-sensitized plate and then chemically remove the non-imaged areas.
By harnessing the development of inkjet technology Glunz & Jensen has set its sight on driving the green revolution when it comes to plate making, and to bring this form of environmentally friendly metal plate making to an affordable level for the smaller printers.
The PlateWriter
The PlateWriter 2000 adds a press-ready image directly onto the metal plate. This means there is NO photosensitive diazo or photopolymer coating to remove, and therefore NO light sensitivity and processing at all. There are no costly chemical disposal charges or wasted time cleaning processors involved in using the PlateWriter 2000.
After the plate is imaged, all you need to do is pass it through the integrated finishing unit, which dries and gums your plate, making it ready to use immediately on press or to store for later use.
This technique of plate making makes iCtP one of the most environmentally friendly ways to make plates today!
“Green” was our driver
With more than 30 years of experience in developing leading products in the markets high-end, Glunz & Jensen plan to dominate the entry level plate making market with this new series of entry level and cost effective plate making devices that come with a very green message;
“The PlateWriter 2000 inkjet Computer-to-Plate (iCtP) technology sets new standards in the cost, flexibility and reduction of workflow for offset printing to the small and medium-format printer. The marketplace can now enjoy the benefits of an even more environmentally friendly and fully digital workflow – and of course, high quality output,” says Mark Baker-Homes, Business Unit Director for iCtP.
“We expect to ignite immense excitement amongst all small printing companies, and commercial print establishments who look to invest in CTP, and are keen to embrace the environmentally friendly message”.
The PlateWriter 2000 and 2400 will be demonstrated LIVE in booth 5229 at Graph Expo.
Glunz & Jensen on display at Graph Expo 2008, booth 5229
System Conveyor
The System Conveyor one in a myriad of solutions from Glunz & Jensen that include plate conveyors, turn units, vertical conveyors and plate stackers designed to automate any plate production facility. It is a low cost, universal, conveyor system suitable for use at the output of a CtP plate setter and input to a CtP plate processor. It is designed with optional components allowing you to configure the compact conveyor to meet specific requirements and transport plates, safely and undamaged, to any location needed. Even though developed with Glunz & Jensen processors in mind, it is also available as a stand alone solution, which can be easily applied to many other devices in the market, i.e., pre- or post-baking plate ovens, rinse-gum units or other plate processors.
The main conveyor module is available for 4-up landscape or 8-up landscape applications. It is supplied complete with belts, motor and built-in power supply, and can be connected to a single phase power outlet, or take power directly from a Glunz & Jensen plate processor.
The versatile System Conveyor can be conveniently hinged onto the entrance of Glunz & Jensen processors, allowing free access to the plate setter by tipping the conveyor upwards. It can also be used as stand alone conveyor with the optional floor stand. For non-light sensitive plate applications, the open conveyor can be operated in a daylight environment, while an optional cover can be installed for light sensitive plate applications.
Not all print facilities are the same, nor are the Glunz & Jensen System Conveyors. Each line is designed to the customers specifications. Whether it is in conjunction with a “lights out” environment or specialized stacking order and collation of plates, Glunz & Jensen has the solution.
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InterPlater HDX Thermal
InterPlater HDX is the new high-end generation of the highly recognized InterPlater HD plate processor platform. With the new range of high-end InterPlater HDX plate processors Glunz & Jensen have managed to improve productivity, serviceability and usability. Extensive research and development is the successful X-factor behind the new products.
At a first glance, users will notice several design changes like the new control panel and the hidden cabinet with the electrical components. But beneath the surface of the InterPlater HDX there are numerous and more drastic changes like increase of speed and upgrading of both the developer section and pre-heat oven (HDX Polymer only).
Improvements to enhance performance
The electrical layout and the sections for developing, filter and tubing have all been modified to make servicing easier and less time-consuming. Among the benefits are easy access to the processor, removal and replacement of brush, rollers, spray bars and guides without use of tools, automatic gum cleaning and remote diagnostics.
A redesign of the development section has improved the performance of the processor as well as the development quality. With a productivity of +300 pph and a linear speed of 2.2 m/min the processor matches the performance of the fastest setters. The hot-air circulation ovens are powerful and the touch-screen enhances daily usability.
Targeted specifically at high-end users
InterPlater HDX meets the requirements of modern CtP plates and plate setters from all major plate manufacturers to support high-end newspaper and high-end commercial applications. Now heavy-duty users find an even better and more efficient tool to support their business.
The InterPlater HDX platform is available for the Thermal, and Violet photopolymer applications, but will also support future chemistry-free applications. The platform supports plates up to 85, 125 and 150 mm in width and can support 44″ newspaper webs with a simple drop-in accessory kit.
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ProVision Alliance
Glunz & Jensen will show the new look for the ProVision Alliance at Graph Expo 2008. A new skin package dresses the bender to look more inline with the Glunz & Jensen Plate processors; this gives any print facility or newspaper production line a clean uniform look to its plate line.
The ProVision Alliance is a high-speed, automatic, in-line single-stage bender for singlewide plates with a minimum of 279 mm (11″) or doublewide plates with a maximum width of 698.5 mm (27.5″). The ProVision Alliance comes standard with electrical Three Point Edge Registration matched to the CtP sides as well as Vision Registration. It is capable of producing up to 250 singlewide or doublewide plates per hour in Vision and 290 pph with edge registration. The ProVision can also be used as a stand alone machine that is hand fed.
The ProVision Alliance can be special ordered to accept plates up to 1270 mm (50″) for commercial applications. Plates are fed head or trail to the left or right via an optional conveyor, then automatically Vision registered by Cognex System controlled fixed dual cameras with an accuracy of +/- 0.0127 mm (0.0005″). Plates are punched (includes up to four punches) and then bent using Glunz & Jensen’s unique rotary bend leaf design to perform precise lead and trail plate bends.
The ProVision incorporates the AutoLube Punch System, which automatically lubes the punches to reduce galling and extend the life of the punches.
ProVision Command PC control can be operated from a remote terminal via built-in modem, VPN connection or LAN network. Also included is a network card to transfer the benders informational data to another system.
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PlateLink Manager
Glunz & Jensen now ties a complete plateline together in ONE communication stream – PlateLink Manager.
With one intuitive inter-connective stream of plate equipment, the operator can use PlateLink Manger
to view the operations, functions, capacity status, alarms, troubleshooting guides, and statistical
data for: Plate Loader, CtP plate processors (InterPlater HDX, Raptor and Quartz Supreme), Punch/Bend systems (ProVision Alliance and Precision Edge) into ONE communication
stream.*)
Remote viewing for complete “lights out” production
Easy to view interconnectivity of all the plate making devices
PlateLink eliminates the need to open individual equipment software packages to view production
A common stream of information in an intuitive format allowing for quick decisions regarding plate production
PlateLink Manager streamlines the operation, maintenance and training of the prepress environment