Which is the best brand around thermal CTP in Latin America

[JoeatData]

Each CTP's have their pluses and minuses. It's hard to say which one is better than the other.
Identify your needs and usage with each product....well, it seems that's what your are as of now.

I have been with 3 different company's that were/are CTP. Currently with a company that uses the Screen CTP. We have had this CTP for about 8 years now. Limited amount of problems and the service has been good. The other company's used Basys CTP which is a convention UV plate technology. We were constantly adjusting and debating plate exposures, along with an expensive service contract and Colbalt which was a ground level(some called it a toy) CTP with a UV laser which seemed blow up every 2-3 months. But that was before they increased the wattage to the laser.

The advice I can give is looking into the warranties and service contracts that each CTP offers. Know/learn the long term of the CTP product that you are going to select.

[Equintana]

Mr. Mcallister

If you want to have more information about CtP technologies directly in your country, could you send us an email out this forum to edgar.quintana@heidelberg.com.pe

Regards

Edgar Quintana

[PeterW]

Hello McAllister,
"Revelador de goma" is callled gumming unit. Sometimes it is integrated in a plate processor.
As far as I know the brand names thate are popular in Perú are Agfa, Screen and Heidelberg. You should have no problem getting technical service for these CtP.
Another question is whether you are planning to buy new or second hand CtP system which generally will be less expensive.
If you need any further help please contact me via Private Message (en caso que prefieras hablar español, no hay ningun problema).

Here are several important factors to consider when buying a CtP system.

1. Size of plates: make sure that the CtP that you choose covers all the plate seize range that you have (from the smallest to the largest size)

2. Plate availability: make sure that the CtP plates are available form a local supplier.

3. Speed: try to choose a CtP that will make as many plates per hour as you need in your busiest production period (or even more, as speed varies depending on the plate brand and the type of job that you are printing)

4. Condition of the equipment: it is best to buy a system that is complete and guaranteed to work in your printshop (i.e. from a reputable dealer that offers warranty and installation). You can always ask to see the equipment in operation and examine the plates that the seller prints on your request. Beware of buying systems that are not in production for long time or are incomplete (no software, no dongles, etc.), as it may cost a lot of money to buy all the necessary items that are missing.
Beware if buying obsolete technologies i.e. CtP for green plates (Agfa Antares, CSI PlateJet), or CtP for silver based violet plates (older models of Agfa Galileo, Paladio, Heidelber Prosetter), as you may have problems with buying the plates and chemistry.

5. Installation: all CtP systems need professional graphic arts engineer trained in the particular CtP model to install it properly. Ask the seller if he can help you with the installation.

6. Technical service: consider who will service your equipment once it is installed. It is good to have local support for your system. I.e. if there are Creo engineers in your country, buy Creo CtP rather than Agfa etc.

7. Brand name: in my opinion it is best to buy a CtP model that is very popular on the market, as it guarantees easy access to technical service and parts when you need it in the future. Right now the most popular models seem to be following:
Creo: Trendsetter, Lotem
Screen: PlateRite
Heidelberg: Suprasetter, Topsetter
Kodak: Magnus

[leo]

Mr Mcallister: how much price per sqm for violet plate you are looking forward to purchase?
One very important thing is how much sqm per year you can buy?

[Gustavo Yanco]

Hello mcallister I don't know if you can expose two plates at once. It is surely an option and not in every brand. I had an agfa avalon n4 with azura plates. Terrific system but your presses might need some adjustments to achieve the best results. Thermal or violet depends on your plate provider. In my country chinese plates cost less than u$s 9 with free chems, azura or other agfa, fuji or kodak between 10 to 12 per sq m. That is the number you have to carefully check if you use 500 sq m. Monthly savings can be huge and compensate the maintenance costs. Saludos desde argentina