but saving the cash is worth a little wait especially with this recession.
TDS, just wanted to give you an update. I decided not to go with Hurst for several reasons. I have continued to research on the inkjet ctp, and found a used Epson 7600 that I picked up for $100.00 from a photo lab that went out of business. This is where it gets good. The print head on the 7600 has the same dpi (2880x1440) as the 4800/7800 Technova sells with their system. The only difference is the 7800 series uses 8 ink channels instead of 7 on the 7600. I found my 7600 by accident on Craigslist, so I figured for $100.00 I couldn't go wrong. The print head was clogged which I knew buying it (seller told me) so I spent some time cleaning the head. There is a paper sensor issue, which says paper jam when there is not and that is about a $200 repair so I am just waiting for a day when I can take it to Kennesaw GA to have them fix it. While i have it there I am going to have them replace a few components that wear which should bring it back to like new condition for very little investment. Online the other night, I stumbled across a Jetplate 7600 installation manual (pdf) which showed the Epson 7600 right out of the box, removing the spindle assembly and attaching brackets & the plate holder & cover assembly. It also made reference to using Jetplate's cartridges (proprietary imaging fluid) instead of the Epson Ultrachrome K3 inks. So I believe if I flushed out the lines I could buy the Jetplate cartridges & the plate/cover assembly and have me a Jetplate 7600. But I thought about it and came to the conclusion that there is no need to change imaging fluids if the Epson inks work on Technova's Polijet, not to mention they are probably less cost than the Jetplate special imaging fluid. The plate holder/cover I might invest in as this might help keep plates in a more consistent position when loading into the 7600. iCTP by Glunz-Jensen using the same Epson print head engines too. So the quality should be the same with my set up. This was re-assured by several RIP companies I contacted. From what I found out the RIP is very important to making the system work and this print head on the 7600 is fine @2880x1440 for this application. Think about it, many imagesetters image @ 1200, 1800 & 2400 dpi (though some are higher) so stands to reason that 2880x1440 should work well. Basically, I believe I can have the same quality of a system inkjet CTP as the 18K Polijet, the $25K iCTP or $29K Jetplate systems for a fraction of the price:
Epson 7600 (used) $100.00
refurbishing of 7600 $250.00
Wasatch SP RIP software $1995.00 (color separation version)
laminator for post baking plate $500.00
TOTAL COST $2845.00(not counting consumable inks & Polijet plate costs)
That's over $15K saved over Hurst/Technova's price for the whole system!!!
Also learned that litho printers as well as screen printers & flexo printers are using this same technology for years with these inkjet printers as imagesetters to produce high quality inkjet film separations comparable to those of true imagesetters with excellent results.
The Wasatch RIP seems to be the best RIP out there with FM Stochastic/Hybrid Screening technology and certified moire free screens, and you can't beat the price. I think this is the RIP I will most likely go with.
I haven't had a lot of time the last couple of months to work with my system I am putting together but hopefully that will change over the next month & I will be up & running. But I am saving a substantial amout of cash going the route I am and I am in no big hurry - actually I can't wait to get it running plates
Hope this helps,
John
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