Product category:
Printing Pre-Press Systems and Materials (Repro, Platemakers, CTP, Workflow, Document Management, Design Software, etc.)
News Release from: EskoArtwork | Subject: Espresso CTP Platesetter
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 17 May 2004
Esko's Espresso UV CTP Comes To Boil At
Drupa
Esko-Graphics has introduced at Drupa its new Espresso two-up and four-up Computer-to-UV-Plate (CTUP) system, said to be capable of imaging conventional pre-sensitised plates with UV light.
Esko-Graphics has introduced at Drupa its new Espresso two-up and four-up Computer-to-UV-Plate (CTUP) system, said to be capable of imaging conventional pre-sensitised plates with UV light The Espresso complements Esko-Graphics' line of Platedriver four-up, six-up and eight-up violet CTP platesetters
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 17 Sep 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The company believes that printers now have even more affordable options to gain the benefits of a CTP workflow, and a broader freedom to choose the CTP technology and platesetter configuration best fitting their needs.
It claimed that Espresso platesetters offer low cost-of-ownership along with the capability to image inexpensive UV-sensitive plates, whilst delivering consistent productivity.
Esko-Graphics said the system uses the proven, highly reliable mechanical design of the company's Eskoscan scanners, with easy-to-use manual loading and a high-precision optical system.
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The Espresso platesetter is being demonstrated in full operation on the Esko-Graphics stand at Drupa - Hall 4, Stand C40.
The system will be commercially available during the first quarter of 2005.
Esko-Graphics claimed that Espresso exposes most existing UV-plates and that its quality and throughput would allow printing plate production to meet the ever-increasing demands of today's print shop.
Printers currently using a film-based workflow can easily and safely migrate to CTUP with a limited investment.
They can continue to use the same plates and processing equipment, which facilitates a parallel CTF and CTUP operation.
Because the Espresso images the same type of plates as used for film-based workflows, printers are already familiar with the plate characteristics and their behaviour on press, added the company.
It is capable of imaging a wide range of conventional pre-sensitised plates, covering sizes from 635mm x 745mm (25" x 29.3") to 325mm x 485mm (12.8" x 19.1").
At the fixed resolution of 2,400dpi - sufficient for screen rulings up to 200 lines per inch (lpi) - the Espresso is said to image up to 13 four-up UV plates per hour in normal light conditions, depending on plate sensitivity.
With high-sensitivity UV plates, Esko claimed that it is possible to image up to 20 four-up plates per hour in proper safelight conditions.
With negative plates it is possible to increase productivity even further by automatically skipping unexposed areas.
Esko-Graphics said that Espresso is a user-friendly platesetter, operated very much like a contact frame.
To load a plate, the lid is opened and the UV plate is positioned on the loading table against three pins with electronic sensing.
Vacuum is applied automatically when the plate is in contact with all register pins.
The lid is closed and the plate exposure starts automatically.
After exposure, the lid is opened and the exposed plate is taken to the plate processor.
The Espresso platesetter is built on the XY-technology of its Eskoscan scanners, with more 2,000 installations worldwide.
The optical head, supported by a patented air bearing, ensures uniform dot quality over the entire plate area, independent of variations in plate thickness.
Combined with the positioning mechanism, it ensures precise registration and short make-ready time on the press, said the company.
The dot quality is capable of imaging high line rulings and exceptional stochastic screening.
Espresso's light source is an affordable video projection lamp.
When needed, the operator can easily replace the lamp and after a short recalibration process, the Espresso is ready for continued productive operation.
Espresso is usually driven by Esko-Graphics' Flowdrive 4, the output management system providing all-digital workflows for fully imposed press-ready plates.
Using Flowdrive with multiple device profiles, a pre-press department can use the same workflow and RIP for CTF and Espresso-based workflows.
For users who already have an established digital workflow, or have needs for a more comprehensive Scope workflow system, the Espresso can be delivered with a one-bit TIFF interface, said Esko-Graphics.
"We are extremely thrilled with the Espresso, and believe it will be readily embraced by the industry.
Creating a platesetter imaging conventional plates was not the real challenge as we have already demonstrated that capability.
What was most important was building a device that fits the business model of smaller commercial printers," remarked Kjeld Moselund, vice president of product marketing for commercial printing at Esko-Graphics.
"Imaging lower-priced conventional plates at high speed provides an economic benefit.
Doing so with a reliable, straightforward UV platesetter meeting high-quality printing standards offers a major competitive advantage," he added.
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