Trying to move from Poly to Metal

[rcreveli]

We are considering moving from a DPM2340 system to a 4Up metal system and are looking for any help we can get.

Our currentl press configuration is

Itek 960
Ryobi 3302
Heidelberg MOZP

Our workflow is to send all jobs to the DPM and output Poly plates for 90-95% of the jobs for the smaller presses and Metal for all jobs on the MOZP and as needed for the small presses. The system is a huge step up from 4 years ago when we took this company over and all jobs were shot on an agfa press camera as film then stripped and plated, it also has a few cons.

1. Unable to plate for 19X25
2. Requires change over between film and plates generating average waste of 1.5 Meters and up to 2Meters per week for each media type.
3. Requires 3 Types of Chemistry (Film, Poly plates and Metal Plates.)
4. Labor intensive stripping for the big Press.

The DPM is paid for but we pay for an anuual service contract.

We've had some difficulty justifying a new thermal system. Partially because we are told our dpm has little or no trade in. Our prefernce is to go Chem Free but we are open to suggestions

Ray

[dlundahl]

Ray,

The new Violet Chemfree plate was introduced at the 2008 Drupa Show last month. This plate uses only an environmentally freindly solution to develop the plate. The plate still has a readable blue image so proofing and calibration are easier than the Process-free thermal plates. Run lengths are still good with a rating of 250,000 impressions.



The HighWater Python can output 20 4 up Chemfree plates per hour and uses internal drum imaging so every plate is accurately imaged. The Python uses a three point touch sensitive plate registration that is accurate and makes loading plates very easy.

Don

Don Lundahl
North America Sales Managet
HighWater Design
don.lundahl@printwarellc.com

[marktonk]

Hi Ray,

We offer two possibilities, thermal and violet. The Suprasetter A74 is our thermal solution. The Prosettter P 74 or PF 74 is our violet solution. Both can have internal press punches, both can be upgraded to automation, both can image Chemfree plates. We have been delivering our Thermal Saphira Chemfree for quite some time. The Suprasetter A 74 will image 9 30" Chemfree plates per hour. The Saphira Violet Chemfree plate is on the horizon, we expect to go into beta later this year. We were imaging 24 plate per hour on the Prosetter PF74 we had at Drupa. As a side note, we will also have a faster thermal Chemfree plate later this year, the Suprasetter A74 will then image about 14 pph. The current thermal chemfree has nice contrast to it and the new will be even better. Here is a link to both.

[Heidelberg CtP|http://www.heidelberg.com/www/html/e...s/prepress_ov]

Regards,

Mark Tonkovich
Heidelberg USA
Product Manager, CtP & Proofing

[Cory Smith]

most manufactures will have a solution to meet your needs. Call around to some reps and get initial pricing, and familiarize yourself with the various features, and add-ons each one offers. Once you do this and start to look at the pricings, the herd will thin for you.

There is also Chem Free violet plates so don't forget to add those to your list