Agfa Thermostar P970&P960 on Kodak Magnus VLF = binding on Staccato screening

[Alien]

We have Kodak Magnus VLF with thermal head 3.5 (X-speed, Quantum).
Recently we began to use Agfa Thermostar P970&P960 instead of Kodak Electra XD&Kodak Capricorn.

When we use periodic screening - everything is ok.
But when we use Staccato 20 micron - we see banding on plate (perpendicular to the long side of the plate).

Experts from Agfa told us that Kodak Magnus VLF can not output 20 micron stochastic screening on Agfa Thermostar P970&P960 and we should try 25 micron.

Where the problem is - in plates or in Ctp?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[nemo]

BS from Agfa.
Agfa plates are poor for high quality printing. As far as I know, the only plates better than Kodak are Fuji
P970 is only qualified for Staccato 25 - Agfa P980, Azura TS and Energy Elite may work as they are qualified for Staccato 20 but I would still recommend Kodak or Fuji plates.


One note about quality and high speed machines - your Magnus is X speed- highest available for that series and the drum spins much faster than older machines thus the time available to burn a pixel is much shorter. Even if the laser intensity is higher and in fact the same power reaches the plate, the time to expose that pixel is much shorter and the polymer will behave differently having to dissipate the energy faster so you need a better plate to maintain quality.

To make the P970 work you will need to slow down the machine and reduce the laser power accordingly.

Your Magnus will output Staccato 20 on a bunch of other plates at its rated performance as you very well know.