Polyester CTP Grows Faster Than Anticipated

One hundred Esko-Graphics' DPX 4 computer-to-polyester plate machines have already been delivered and the future demand looks very promising, according to the company.

More than Esko-Graphics' 100 DPX 4 computer-to-polyester plate machines have already been delivered and the future demand looks very promising, according to the company.

Esko believes the market is responding positively to polyester as a reliable system that drives business growth and offers important advantages.

"Market intelligence is indicating that demand for four-up polyester CTP is growing at a much faster pace than we anticipated.

Our sales figures verify this trend - response to the DPX 4 has been very positive.

There is strong interest in the system, not least in the Asian markets and our global distribution strategy is to tap into this growing demand," commented Helge Johansen, Esko-Graphics' quick pre-press solutions product manager.

The DPX 4 is a four-up, fully daylight operated automatic CTPP system, producing imaged, processed, punched, dried and cut-to-size press ready plates as large as 680mm x 750mm (26.77" x 29.9") said Esko.

Other features include a footprint of 1,370mm x 1,060mm (54" x 42"), a built-in twin-bath processor with a temperature controlled activator tank and a stabiliser tank.

There is also a 30-litre waste container that collects excess chemistry.

It is claimed that the DPX 4 can output 38 745mm x 605mm (23.8" x 29.3") plates per hour at 1,200 dopts per inch (dpi), or 27 plates per hour at 2,540dpi.

It is also said that the DPX 4 exposes at any resolution between 1,200dpi and 3,000dpi.

Because the DPX provides fully automatic plate-making without manual labour, there is no waste of time or material when changing media rolls.

The DPX 4 load system features two media compartments (one optional) where the material - 61 metres per roll on a six-inch core - is easily loaded, claimed Esko -Graphics.

The use of two compartments also allows the use of different sized plates for feeding various presses.

A new auto-centering system ensures precise centering of new media on the shaft every time a new roll is loaded.

During operation the medium is automatically loaded and positioned in the drum and held in place by a vacuum system during exposure added the company.

"The DPX 4 has convinced customers in Japan, USA, Germany and United Kingdom that polyester CTP offers excellent quality and unmatched reliability, coupled with an unbeatable low cost of ownership.

We are confident that our distribution efforts will drive the global adoption of this technology.

The DPX 4 enables firms to profit from labour-free, fully automatic platemaking at a superior level of quality and reliability," concluded Torben Rysgaard, Esko-Graphics division manager for CTP systems.

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