Poly Plate Help

[sykomac]

Good day to all.

I work in a small print shop. We have been using an HP5100 to output poly (paper?) plates.

We have been running this system for 6 years or so. I worked great to start but has been going downhill in the last couple of years. In the last year we've had to replace the fuser module twice. Then, when the toner gets down to about half full, I can see a loss of quality. Sometimes it will take 2 or 3 plates to get a good screen output. Then, if there's a problem on press, another 2 or 3 to get the same screen quality.

Anyway, I'm trying to find a better system. Does anyone know of a website that maybe compiles information on a bunch of systems to make it easy to compare? If not, is anyone using a system that they would recommend?

We have a Ryobi 3200 press with a T-head. I output files on a Mac OS X 10.4. Right now we use Heath Custom Press Micr-Line plates. Most of our work (70%) is just straight text or line art, but the rest will have screens.

Thanks in advance,
Paul
Laura Marr Printing

 

[brent]

We have been using a platestream poly machine for a couple of years...This thing is a workhorse...Hardly ever have to calibrate, changing chemistry is a snap, no mixing, no water. Holds awesome dots at 175 dpi (which we use). I really can't say enough about it.

 

[MacTwidget]

We have the Mitsubishi SDP-Eco1630IIIR which is similar in concept and design to the Platestream mentioned in the previous post.
It too is a workhorse, easy to clean and maintain. It is run with a Harlequin RIP.
Although it's not cheap, around $30K, it is worth it if you do a lot of work on your Ryobi.

 

[sykomac]

We would like to continue to use the laser (poly) plates rather than film/metal plate. So if anyone has experience with a laser plate system that would be very helpful.

Thanks,

 

[MacTwidget]

Both the Platestream and Mitsubishi are polyester media.

Before settling on the Mitsubishi I ran several press tests from Xanté, but was not that impressed with it's ability to hold registration or a good tonal range. That is the only "laser" device that I have any experience with.

 

[sykomac]

Anybody using anything that is chemical free? Xante Platesetter? Kimosetter 410?

Looking for something less than $10k. Anything else like that?

Thanks,

 

[brent]

Honestly, for quality purposes and bang for the buck.... you may want to look into a used platestream or Mitsubishi unit. You may be able to find one in your price range. Being able to hold a dot is huge, and those laser systems just can't do it.

 

[Ritter]

I had a bad experience with the Xante PM5 machine which is nothing more than the HP engine with Xante engine attached to it with Agfa polyester plates. Machine was too fickle and sensitive. Chemical Poly from Xante or Mitsubishi is what I would recommend.

 

[CNS Systems]

Good day to all.

I work in a small print shop. We have been using an HP5100 to output poly (paper?) plates.

We have been running this system for 6 years or so. I worked great to start but has been going downhill in the last couple of years. In the last year we've had to replace the fuser module twice. Then, when the toner gets down to about half full, I can see a loss of quality. Sometimes it will take 2 or 3 plates to get a good screen output. Then, if there's a problem on press, another 2 or 3 to get the same screen quality.

Anyway, I'm trying to find a better system. Does anyone know of a website that maybe compiles information on a bunch of systems to make it easy to compare? If not, is anyone using a system that they would recommend?

We have a Ryobi 3200 press with a T-head. I output files on a Mac OS X 10.4. Right now we use Heath Custom Press Micr-Line plates. Most of our work (70%) is just straight text or line art, but the rest will have screens.

Thanks in advance,
Paul
Laura Marr Printing

All suggestions are good but expensive. We sell a tabletop system that works perfect. No chemistry and uses a 5ml poly plate. The Kimosetter 410 works very well and can handle the work load.

 

[brent]

All suggestions are good but expensive. We sell a tabletop system that works perfect. No chemistry and uses a 5ml poly plate. The Kimosetter 410 works very well and can handle the work load.

Well he did say he was having problems holding screens. From what i have seen, all of the table top models have that same problem.

Is it really that expensive when you are outputting 2-3 plates per job just to get a decent plate? Platestream holds 175 line screen no problem. Plus we have a built in punch, so it's hang and bang on the press. It might seem like it is more expensive, but when you factor in all the time saved, it really isn't in my opinion.

I have yet to see a table top model produce a decent dot that will hold up.

 

[CNS Systems]

Yes it is expensive @ $30,000. The dot off of a Kimosetter is extremly hard. The only draw back is you can't go finer than 100 line. But he was using lazer plates for years and was happy with quality. So the Kimosetter blows any toner scattered system away.
Not to mention your keeping $25,000. in your pocket.

 

[brent]

I guess....I just can't see that in this day and age that a 100 line screen would be viable at all.

I guess I am a print snob...I would never even think to give one of my customers a printed piece with screens that are only 100 line screen. It just seems to me to be bad printing. Oh well...hey...if your customers are happy with that quality, who am i to argue!!!!

 

[CNS Systems]

He did say he was a small shop doing mostly line work and some screens. How much can he do with lazer plates anyway.

 

[brent]

He did say he was a small shop doing mostly line work and some screens. How much can he do with lazer plates anyway.

Hey I work for a small shop..I think being a small shop it is even more important to do quality work. You have to be able to compete with larger shops in your area. It's bad enough dealing with local price wars, but competing in them with an inferior final product to what they produce, just doesn't seem beneficial to me.