Is the Platerite 4300 a solid machine? We are looking at buying one that has been checked over and is in good working condition. It is a 2008 and we are planning to replace our film imagesetters and our film and plate processors. The seller is asking 35k for it and the RIP. What questions should I ask? Is this a reasonable price?
They are solid machines, and probably the most common CTP out there for a reason, Parts are easy to get, in regards to price, as others have said make sure diodes are OK, clamps cycles are low, also worth checking m41 pump is working.
Regarding RIP, it is worth checking what you need, if it is just a HQN RIP on its own, the GUI is dire (20 years it has stayed the same), the core Interpreter is good. If you are looking at something which allows you to organise jobs, impose etc you may need something else. Either something more High end from Screen, Fuji etc, or Workflow Bolt on programs to the harlequin RIP.
I would always recommend checking the inside of the machine ask to look at the filters, a good dealer will clean the machine on the inside as well as the outside and check and replace parts such as filters / diodes as a matter of course.
Some dodgy dealers idea of refurbishment is to pick up a machine from Site A, clean the outside of the unit in the truck and drop off at Site B
