Need info on Saphira

[zoran]

Heidelberg's brand Saphira is actually Agfa plate, correct?
If so, does anyone know which plate is it or they are branding all of them.
Does Heidelberg co-brand any other plate except Agfa?

Does anyone have experience with these Saphira plates and 10 micron?
I can't find much info online and I prefer to find out real life experience, they are mostly listed at 200 lpi or 25 micron.

We are using Fuji LH-PJ.

Thanks

[gordo]

Does anyone have experience with these Saphira plates and 10 micron?

While Saphira/Azura is/are certainly a good plate methinks that 10 micron FM is not going to happen on this plate.


best, gordon p

[zoran]

Thanks Gordo, so we are limited to Kodak and Fuji if we want to run 10 micron, right?

[gordo]

Thanks Gordo, so we are limited to Kodak and Fuji if we want to run 10 micron, right?

There may be a very few others but Fuji and Kodak are certainly the most experienced.

best, gordo

[zoran]

Are you talking about Azura only or all the Agfa plates?

[gordo]

Are you talking about Azura only or all the Agfa plates?

AFAIK Agfa does not have a plate suitable for 10 micron FM. But formulations and specifications do change so it's best to ask them. I'm surprised that no plate vendor has responded to this thread. I'm also disappointed that this kind of basic information is not available on the various plate vendor web sites.

best, gordon p

[Kevin@Kodak]

AFAIK Agfa does not have a plate suitable for 10 micron FM. But formulations and specifications do change so it's best to ask them. I'm surprised that no plate vendor has responded to this thread. I'm also disappointed that this kind of basic information is not available on the various plate vendor web sites.

best, gordon p

Sorry not to jump in, but I don't always want to sound like a plate advertisement.

If you look at the qualification database for our Magnus 800 Quantum F CTP system as an example, the only vendors listed with plates qualified for 10-micron FM are Fuji and Kodak (as well as one Toray waterless plate). Same results for a Trendsetter 800 Quantum F. Basically, that should cover the majority (if not all) of our 10-micron qualified solutions.

Saphira plates are a bit tougher to nail down. Heidelberg isn't a plate manufacturer - they supply plates under their brand that are made by various other companies. Which plates they offer is different in each region, and it's difficult (if not impossible) to say exactly what plate you're getting and what it's qualified for. You'd have to ask them directly in your region.

From Kodak, I would highly recommend Electra XD. From our testing internally, it has the widest latitude for 10-micron imaging and processing of any plate we've ever tested - which will make things easier on your side considerably. It's also a very mechanically durable plate for 10-micron work. The only watchout is if you're using an agressive alcohol-replacement fount on your presses (unless you're baking your plates, in which case they're pretty much bullet-proof) - but our plate specialists can help test for that and make recommendations from there.

Kevin.

[herbert]

Hi all

The fuji the plate is best going, so dont move

Thanks

Dan

[zoran]

Thanks Kevin and Gordo for info.
I agre with you Gordo, too bad other vendors did not join discussion.
Dan, we won't move to inferior plate, just looking at all options, thanks.

[parkerch]

Please accept my apologies for a delayed response to this conversation.

Heidelberg Canada has had technical success running the Saphira PN at 10 micron FM in conjunction with our Suprasetter for some years now. Although the Saphira PN Plate is not accredited for 10 micron(yet), we have achieved production stability within a Canadian Shop.

We can assure everyone that our Saphira PN is a World Class product that has been extensively tested, accredited and installed around the Globe by Heidelberg. If the Label on the Box says Saphira PN, you are guaranteed the same high performance plate, everytime.

www.shop.heidelberg.com