The company has claimed the Kodak Generation News system can run with no operator intervention, executing plate size selection, slip-sheet removal, transport to the imaging engine, centering and registration, automatically.

The thermal digital platesetter can image up to 300 plates per hour at a resolution of 200 lpi, and uses Kodak's Squarespot technology to combat process variation.

The platesetter is being trialled at the print site for the Los Angeles Times, which produces 800,000 copies a day, and 1.3m at weekends.

UK trials and demonstrations have not yet been announced, although the system will be on display at this year's Drupa conference.