Thermal CTP Transforms Printer's Productivity

A newly installed B2 Screen thermal Platerite CTP system has transformed the pre-press department at BDP (UK).

A newly installed B2 Screen thermal Platerite CTP system has transformed the pre-press department at BDP (UK).

Ajay Ahluwalia, director of the company in London, said: "We installed the system to increase productivity and output.

As a result, we are better equipped to meet the tight deadlines common in printing today." The Platerite 4300 with MA-L4300 multi cassette loader has dramatically reduced make-readies and has cut costs at BDP.

Ahluwalia added: "We specifically chose a thermal device so that we can use processless plates.

We have kept our eye on processless technology over the last few years and, as plates are set to become ever faster to image, found the benefits of thermal processing stood out from any other process in the market.

Our time spent preparing, cleaning and maintaining our pre-press equipment has been significantly reduced as a direct result of installing the Screen system." BDP's existing silver Screen PF1050 and Agfa processor platemaker system required six hours of cleaning and maintenance every two weeks - time which BDP has now recouped with the Screen system.

The Platerite 4300 is said to be able to produce up to nine 830mmx660 mm plates per hour, up to a resolution of 2,540 dots per inch (dpi).

The company has also installed Screen's JDF compatible Trueflow 3 workflow, which provides a range of automated pre-press functions designed to increase productivity, such as colour conversion, imposition, trapping and RIPing.

When installed with a multi-cassette loading unit, the system can provide 27 hours of unattended operation, said Screen.

Ahluwalia continued: "The Platerite 4300 driven by Trueflow 3 software and multi-cassette loader provides such a high level of automation that we are able to automatically switch between plate sizes without having to stop production.

As a result, the company can re-prioritise or re-send work to the platesetter by simply changing the order of the job queue." And he explained: "With our previous system, we could not stop plate production once a job had been sent through.

If we were running 32 B2 plates we would have to stop the process and then switch over manually to a different cartridge size.

We can now put a single plate through at the click of a mouse, without experiencing any downtime or delays at all." BDP prints DVD and VHS cover sleeves for one of its major clients, which is time-critical work, whilst it also prints so many varieties that change-over can be frequent.

In addition, the company regularly receives last minute amendments to art work even after sending a job through to the platesetter, so the flexibility of the system is a major benefit.

As well as DVD and VHS covers, BDP provides commercial print services and design to a variety of businesses in the UK.

That includes promotional material for corporations such as Faith Shoes and product brochures for major catering companies.

BDP also produces stationery for hotels and menus for London restaurants and bars.

The company employs 15 people and operates with Heidelberg colour presses.

It also offers customers finishing services on a range of machines, including Polar guillotines, Stahl folders and a Muller Martini binder.

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