It can image up to 13 32pp and 36 8pp plates an hour, 50% faster than the fastest thermal platesetter to date, Creos Lotem Quantum.

Like the previously announced Agfa Xcalibur 45, it uses Grating Light Valve technology from Silicon Light Machines in its imaging head to achieve high speed. It also uses a pair of imaging heads, which also allows it to image a pair of 8pp plates simultaneously.

As well as handling large plate formats it can handle all sizes down to 2pp. Single and multi-cassette auto-loading is available, and features the ability to load and unload a pair of 8pp and smaller plates simultaneously.

Screen is also launching a new 4pp platesetter designed to produce plates suitable for the latest 75cm-wide super B2 presses that are being launched at Ipex by Ryobi and Hamada. The PlateRite 4300 can image plates up to 830x660mm as well as supporting smaller 2pp plates down to 324x370mm. The PlateRite 4300 is also faster than Screens other 4pp models with a throughput of 20 plates per hour.

Ipex is the worldwide debut of Screens previously announced PlateRite 8000 II, which adds the ability to handle plates down to 2pp to the 8pp machine.

Its CTP offerings are being enhanced with Remote Monitoring Software, which allows remote viewing of the status and settings of the platesetter via a web browser.

Story by Barney Cox