Agfa Graphics
www.agfa.com
Stand 11/CD220
New B1 and B2 machines will take centre stage on the Agfa stand, with the B1 low-energy Avalon N8 thermal machine and the B2 Avalon V4, a violet unit that works with the firm’s new processless violet plate Azura V. Along with the Amigo TS, Azura V, Agfa’s violet no-process plate, is the big launch at the show, which it believes will provide a new lease of life to the violet CTP market. Agfa’s workflow pre-show announcements centre on the launch of Apogee Media 6, a workflow tool for publishers.

Basysprint
www.basysprint.com
Stand 11/C230
An automated version of its 850 series eight-page platesetter, the 857 will get its debut at Ipex, following the launch of the firm’s B2 and B1 machines at Drupa 2008. Basysprint argues there is still innovation in conventional plates and that for volume users, there are cost-of-ownership arguments in favour of using conventional plates exposed digitally.

Bodoni Systems
www.bodoni.co.uk
Stand 9/C391
A new version of PressSign adds the ability to ensure any instruments used within your workflow to measure colour agree with each other and can be kept inline over time.
EFI
www.efi.com
Stand 11/F223
EFI’s Web Control Center (WCC) is a hosted service that allows the output of proofs at remote sites to be monitored and managed against quality targets. All Fiery XF RIPs for proofing and digital output can be integrated with the tool.

Epson
www.epson-europe.com
Stand 10/C260
The show marks the first outing for the WT7900 proofer with white ink for labelling proofing applications, which will be shown with CGS, EFI, GMG and StarProof RIPS.

EskoArtwork
www.esko.com
Stand 12/C150
According to the firm, HD Flexo screen technology is a cost-saving necessity, not a luxury. The technique combines 4,000dpi optics with proven screening technology, which makes it possible to reproduce the full tonal range of offset while maintaining simple implementation.

Heidelberg
www.uk.heidelberg.com
Stand Hall 8
A new version of console-mounted press sheet scanning spectrophotometer Image Control, the extension of Inpress Control to Speedmaster SM 102/CD 102/CX 102 presses and the launch of PDF Inspection Control and Netprofiler, head up Heidelberg’s colour and process control tools at the show. In the CTP arena, the group has boosted the productivity and image quality capabilities of its B3 and B2 thermal platesetters, the A52 and A75 Suprasetters. Both machines will now be available with the option of a Dual Top Loader, which can boost productivity by almost 60% by enabling non-stop plate production of two different plate sizes. The firm has also added a 5,080dpi high-resolution option.

IBF Corporation
www.ibf.com.br
Stand 9/E321
A new processless plate will be shown by Brazilian firm IBF for launch in June. IBF is the fourth-largest offset plate manufacturer worldwide.

Lüscher
www.luescher.com
Stand 9/D359
Lüscher will focus on its multi-material machines with the launch of the Multi DX flatbed platesetter. This flatbed machine can image any type of UV-sensitive plate or screen up to a maximum size of 800x600mm and a maximum thickness of 50mm.
 
Mellow Colour
www.mellowcolour.com
Stand 9/D364
A new version of the firm’s PrintSpec software for managing colour reproduction to ISO 12647 and other standards will be launched, although it’s tight-lipped on the details.

Presstek
www.presstek.com
Stand 7/C480
New products on show include the DPM Pro 400, an automated polyester platesetter, and Dimension Pro 400 series of B2 metal thermal CTP, which can image up to 43 plates per hour. The Dimension Pro series of platesetters image Presstek’s chemistry-free Aurora Pro and processed Aeon thermal plates, as well as other thermal media. Also new is the Aeon, which is the firm’s first processed plate. With this launch, Presstek has broken from its heritage as the processless pioneer just as everyone else goes the other way.

Roland DG
www.rolanddg.co.uk
Stand 12/C140
Roland DG’s Versa-UV LEC 330 UV-cured inkjet printer is being promoted as an ideal device for packaging pre-press firms who want a lower-cost and higher speed method of creating accurate proofs, including white and varnish onto a wide range of flexible media

Screen
www.screeneurope.com
Stand 7/E460-7, 10/C290, 9/C300
The new PlateRite 8000N series improves speed and reduces power consumption delivering a 12.5% boost in productivity using 28% less power per plate, reducing running costs and carbon footprint. Topping the range of B1 machines is the 36 plate per hour PlateRite 8000N-S.

X-Rite/Pantone
www.xrite.com, www.pantone.com
Stand 10/D260
EasyTrax is X-Rite’s newest semi-automated colour scanning system. The company is keen to promote the affordability of this semi-automated press side colour control tool, which supports up to six-colours and streamlines processes while reducing makeready time and materials.

Xingraphics Co
www.xingraphics.com
Stand 11/E226
Xingraphics will launch the Fit Eco primo processless thermal plate, which, according to the company, is the first of a new generation of true processless thermal plate technology. The plate uses phase-change technology previously championed by Creo where the plate coating’s surface properties are changed on exposure to create the lithographic surface rather than relying on a grained aluminium base.