There are three technologies under evaluation, one is based on Thermolite, the other two are blue sky, said Agfa Graphic Systems director Laurence Roberts. Part of the testing is checking that manufacturing and logistics can be scaled up.
The plates are based on standard grained aluminium bases and are what Agfa terms drop in products, meaning that the platesetter doesnt need a higher-powered laser or dust extraction.
Despite its R&D efforts, the firm believes the technology is only suitable for a small part of the B2 market.
We need to dampen down the feeling that processless is for the masses and will wipe out every other sort of plate, said Agfa UK plate product manager Mike Loose.
The firm remains committed to a range of technologies for different applications. Its own belief is that despite thermal having a slight upper hand in commercial print, the growth market is B2 and that two-thirds of the estimated 180 B2 machines being installed over the next year will be visible light.
To meet demand for all its plates, it launched a programme of changes and modernisation for its worldwide plate factories.
Agfa plans to close the oldest line at Leeds, which currently produces Alympia and Primera analogue plates, next year. It will also convert the second of the two remaining lines to concentrate entirely on the preparation of plate substrate for the Lithostar range, which is coated and converted in France.
Story by Barney Cox
