Good short-run CTP

[Verdant]

Hi everyone,
I work for a company that has outsourced printing for years and has finally decided to bring it in-house. We are currently looking for a CTP to make polyester plates to run on some ABDick 9910s (or 9920s, I forget which ones) to print short run (100-2000) 1 or 2 color jobs and the occasional long run of 40-60000 (which I know I'll have to re-image poly plates on those jobs) . The bulk of the work will be solid text, but there will be also be the occasional screened image we'd need to run as well. We'll also be applying thermography at the same time.
We looked at using a digital duplicator like a Riso or Standard, but the quality wasn't good enough for our application, so decided to go with the ABDick press instead.
I've done a lot of searching on these forums, and from there have looked into some various plate makers. I'm currently getting pricing on a Xante Platemaker 5, as well as an ABDick DPM 34HSC and a Mitsubishi Eco 1630. So far the Xante is winning in price, but I know that you often get what you pay for. I like the fact that the Xante is chemical free, but don't know how well the plates will hold up on the press.
Any recommendations as to which platemaker we should go with? Image quality is a huge factor.
Thanks for the help!
Verdant

[idrivepos]

Mitsubishi Eco 1630 Type II (if buying used) Type IIIR if buying new.
These are proven machines that are made just for quality poly output.

[VladCanada]

Any old imagesetter is able to work with poly (Mitsubishi SilverMaster or AGFA SetPrint)
ABDick DPMs are actually internal drum film imagesetters from Danish Scanview A/S (swallowed by Creo) installed on the top of the processor without wash and dryer sections.

[jackmack2010]

Don't forget Printware's PlateStreams. Printware, LLC You will find that many of your competitors are very happy with these very affordable and high quality systems that comes with a complete service and supplies package direct from the manufacturer.

[lfelton]

The only ones I know anything about are the AB Dick / Presstek units.

The 2508 will get you (accurate) auto punching and drying and 20 plates an hour or so. Good quality, but not daylight safe (despite what the literature claims). Will image good quality 175lpi plates all day long. You can pick these up for next to nothing. Very reliable, but the question is how long will the spare parts still be available (they stopped making them 5 years or so ago). Probably good for a few years yet.

The smaller version (can't remember the model number) was also very good. No punching, no drying, but otherwise the same on resolution. If you can pick up the 2508 for next to nothing, then I guess someone will probably pay you to take away one of the smaller machines.

Hope that helps.

[Verdant]

Because of price, my boss is heavily leaning towards the Xante. I know you get what you pay for, but need to know if anyone has any compelling reasons for us to NOT go with the Xante?

[jackmack2010]

Verdant,

It is all about press performance. If you haven't done the press tests of plates from the various poly CtP manufacturers, I suggest you get that done first. It shouldn't anymore than a few days to get done. Printware can be reached at 800-456-1400 X418.
Jack Makowski
VP Business Dev
Vanguard Graphics (parent of Printware)

[Happyprinter]

Mitsubishi Echo III... Best on the market, in my humble opinion.

[jackmack2010]

It depends if you want punched (which the ECO does not do) ready to hang plates coming off the platesetter and the lowest cost of operation available for the highest quality.

[idrivepos]

The Eco 1630 III R is made by Screen,
Both Mitsubishi and Printware sell this platesetter.