It is predicting a laser lifetime of 3,000 to 5,000 imaging hours. This is equivalent to today's 532nm FD-YAG laser life, except that this is switched on constantly during the exposure, whereas the violet laser diode is switched on and off continually. Krause says that the head life will be sufficient for about 60,000 eight-up plates in high res, or double that in low.

An exchange cost for the violet laser module will be 8,000, compared to 28,100 for FD-YAG or 35,000 for a thermal module. Most 830nm external drum systems require the exchange of the optical sytem (not single diodes) after an average of 5,000 hours for costs of approximately 30,000-40,000 according to Krause.

The new violet head is initially being configured for use with Agfa's Lithostar Ultra LAP-V plate in daylight (yellow safelight) operation.

Story by Simon Eccles