The UV-Setter 450x and 850x, four- and eight-page platesetters respectively, have a flatbed design and include an integrated punch for accurate custom punching before exposure.
Both models can be used to image UV plates for offset printing or spot varnishing, magnesium or copper photo engraving plates (up to 10mm thick) for hot foil stamping and embossing, as well as screen meshes and dies.
Christophe Lievens, director of sales and marketing for Basysprint said that the new systems should help customers "differentiate themselves in their commodity market".
"With the promotion of being able, with our Basysprint UV-Setter, to image different substrates, we want to offer our customers the possibility to differentiate in their commodity market.
"Today every printer prints their products applying, where possible, that extra touch of detail or special feature in order to differentiate.
"However to apply spot varnish, or embossing or even hot foil stamping, the creation of the plate is rather expensive. Most of the printers have to go to special trade shops to get one of these expensive imaged plates.
"Now if they can make those plates themselves on one and the same engine, it has both an advantage in cost and flexibility. Printers will also apply much more of these finishing features if they can make the plates themselves."
The devices have already been distributed to Basysprint's network of resellers although they won't be commercially available until November. Both formats have a modular design that can be upgraded from completely manual to fully automatic multi-cassette systems able to run five different plate formats.
The 850x offers greater productivity than than its predecessor with a dual-plate loading system to process two plates simultaneously, producing up to 120 plates an hour.
The system can also be remotely controlled through mobile devices such as smart phones and tablet computers.
Leivens added that the systems were aimed at eight-up and VLF printers and trade shops. He said: "The ability to provide an array of innovative applications that will differentiate their offering in an increasingly commodity-based industry is of the utmost importance."
Basysprint is now looking into other applications for the platesetters: "Our Basysprint UV-Setter is using a Violet laser light source, emitting energy at 405nm. Any substrate which is sensitive to 405nm is being evaluated," said Leivens.
He added that both customers and substrate suppliers have been "very optimistic".
