BACK TO BASICS / COMPUTER-TO-PLATE 77 Issue 342 - May / June 2023 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk but only those who are able to change will thrive in the future.” Reliable Solutions Another major manufacturer in this area is Screen. Ali Safavi, CtP sales manager at Screen, says with commercial printing still the backbone of the printing industry, new and ongoing development of CtP equipment is critically important for the market moving forward. “When it comes to CTP, these types of devices are reliable, easy to use, can produce high-quality print matters and are widely accepted by print managers all across the industry,” Safavi explains. “Newer and more modern CtP systems will benefit from improved productivity, increased quality, in many cases a smaller footprint, and consume less energy, which then also means it makes them more environmentally friendly. “Continuity of business and providing high-quality jobs are the most important for any business to maintain their competitive edge. Like all previously produced CtP models by Screen, our new model maintains the highest quality and reliability.” The latest CtP solutions from Screen come in the form of the PlateRite PT-R8600NII E/S/Z, which Safavi explains gives the customer choice over productivity, and configuration from manual operation to full automation. The PT-R8600NII E, S and Z models each offer something slightly different to the user. The Z has a 96-channel laser diode and can run at speeds of 32 plates per hour at 2,400 dpi, while the S has a 64-channel laser diode light source, an external drum recording system, and a top speed of 24 plates per hour at 2,400 dpi. The third model in this collection, the E model, features a 32-channel laser diode and can run at a top speed of 14 platers per hour at a quality of 2,400 dpi. All machines within the range have a maximum plate size of 1,160mm x 924mm and can run thermal aluminium plates at thicknesses of between 0.15mm and 0.3mm. “All Screen CtPs are compatible with process-less plates, reducing the processing time and no need for processor and chemical,” Safavi says, adding: “CtP will continue to play an important role in the printing industry, due to its cost advantages and ROI.” Cost-effective & Sustainable Elsewhere and Kodak has been associated with this technology for a number of years now, providing solutions to customers around the world. Denisse Goldbarg, chief marketing officer and head of EAMER sales, at Kodak, says the key benefits of CtP technology today are that it helps to improve the responsiveness, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of offset printing. “When modern Kodak Platesetters are combined with eco-friendly Kodak Sonora Process Free Plates and high-capacity at the same time,” Bogunovic says, adding: “Operations performed by robots are proven to be very efficient and reliable, with a throughput of 80 pages per hour per platesetter and uninterrupted plate production for several days for high-volume customers. Bogunovic goes on to say automation is key for the future of CtP technology, explaining that the automation of otherwise manual, repetitive tasks such as loading plate cassettes of autoloaders, or fixing pallets on the base frame of the conventional skid loader, frees up employees’ time for higher-level tasks, elevating in their value. With a robot, the employee can instead prepare the pre-press jobs and follow up with the robot remotely, on the screen. “Choosing a robotics solution gives the opportunity to use the most optimal plate packaging and contribute to waste reduction by up to 20%,” Bogunovic explains, continuing: “Instant improvement in efficiency, stability, and productivity always results in a reduction in overall costs. For optimal ease of use, the plate-loading robot is fully integrated with Agfa’s Apogee workflow software. “It will be interesting to see how the global business landscape changes over the next few years. All evidence points to the fact that streamlining and automating processes may be the most important factor in remaining competitive. “Some of the trends will grow faster than others, and new ones will emerge as the year progresses. Staying in tune with these changes is key to surviving in today’s fast-paced, disruption-prone industry. Adaptation can be challenging, ◄ Screen’s PTR8600NII-Z features a 96-channel laser diode light source Research suggests that choosing a robotics solution can contribute to waste reduction by up to 20% in plate packaging Factoid ▲ Iris Bogunovic, product manager for plate and CtP at Agfa, says automation is key for the future of CtP plates per hour can be produced on Screen’s PT-R8600NII-Z 32
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