CTP - Computer to Plate

Screen PlateRite FX1524 Large-Format CTP System Enables High-Resolution Flexo and Letterpress Printing

The Screen PlateRite FX1524, a thermal CTP recorder designed for wide-web flexo platemaking, achieves outstanding results for flexible packages, folding cartons and corrugated cardboard packages

Wednesday 06. October 2010 - Flexography, as the de facto standard for package printing in the United States, has benefited immensely from improvements in platemaking and screening technology. The Screen PlateRite FX1524 represents a big step forward in enabling packaging printers to give their customers higher flexo printing performance, quality and efficiency. Designed for wide-web flexo platemaking, the PlateRite FX1524 achieves outstanding results for flexible packages, folding cartons and corrugated cardboard packages.

The PlateRite FX1524 streamlines processing of flexo plates, letterpress plates and thermal ablative film from 4 x 4 inches (100 x 100 mm) to 42 x 60 inches (1,067 x 1,524 mm). The platesetter features a 64-channel laser imaging head based on the proven, reliable laser diode design used in Screen’s traditional offset CTP recorders. It is compatible with digital plates from DuPont, Flint Group (BASF), Toray, McDermid and Asahi-Kasei.

The PlateRite FX1524 images flexo plates at the industry-leading speed of 4 square meters (43.75 square feet) per hour. It offers a choice of 2,400 dpi, 2,540 dpi and 4,800 dpi output resolutions. No other platesetter manufacturer offers 4,800 dpi resolution as standard.

Imaging at 4,800 dpi delivers smooth gradations and almost completely eliminates unevenness, even in the highlight areas. Flexo Dot 4800 hybrid screening technology significantly reduces jaggies in diagonal lines and curves at 4,800 dpi. It also improves the repeatability of fine line reproduction.

What’s more, the PlateRite FX1524 is simple to operate. The exclusive push-clamp feature simplifies plate loading. Leading and trailing edge clamps save the operator time and trouble. A button-operated loading mechanism loads plates reliably. Manual plate loading is available as well. The operator can select the optimal plate loading procedure depending on the size of plate being imaged. An auto-balancing function ensures stable drum rotation.

The PlateRite FX1524, along with Screen’s Trueflow SE ver. 7.2 JDF/PDF Adobe-core workflow, screening technology, high-resolution output devices and a full complement of proofing software and hardware, is a component of Screen’s Packaging Solution offering.

Screen (USA) will present the PlateRite FX1524 at Graph Expo 2010 in booth #1637, October 3-6 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.