Avalon LF-Violet is a B1 external drum platesetter that incorporates a violet laser into the GLV optics for the first time. It builds on the firms Avalon thermal platesetter range, which was unveiled last September.
It will be available with different levels of automation, and in 20, 30 and, from 2007, 40+ plate per hour versions. Users will be able to switch between violet and thermal heads in the field to take advantage of different plate technologies. A VLF violet machine is also being considered.
The firm's B2 CTP offerings are being boosted by the faster Palladio II, producing up to 28 violet plates per hour and the Accento II thermal machine.
Responding to customer demands for more robust and stable plates a new range of thermal plates, Energy, is being rolled out. There are three products; the standard Energy, the bakeable Energy Marathon for longer runs and Energy Elite, a chemical resistant plate good for runs up to 350,000 unbaked with UV inks and harsh press chemistries.
Energy Marathon is claimed to offer long-run printers a plate that resists polish in non-image areas and more than doubles the time between blanket wash-ups from 40,000 to 90,000 copies, improving press productivity. The plates replace the Thermostar P970.
Agfa will also be promoting its range of thermal "chemistry free" plates the Azura, which needs gumming, and the recently introduced Amigo. The Amigo needs a cleaning step to remove non-image areas, which can be carried out in any processor, but uses greatly reduced amounts of chemistry and heat compared to conventional processing. Due to the ThermoFuse technology it is also claimed to be much more stable than processed plates.
Workflow enhancements include version 2.6 of its project management tool Delano. The new version includes a cut-down version, Delano Web Approval, for file upload and reliable soft proofing, which can be upgraded to the full Delano Publish or Production versions. New features in the full version include pro-active messaging of problems, management of non-Agfa pre-press workflows, configurable rule-based process models and full JDF/JMF support.
At the show Delano will be integrated with a number of MIS including Tharstern, Technique, Optimus and EFI.
Apogee X 3.0 will also be launched. New features include an increased range of file formats for import and export to integrate with legacy workflows including 1-bit TIFF, DCS copydot and CT/LW. It will also support PDF-X and Certified PDF. Integration with digital print will be shown with the software driving Agfa's M-Press and Dotrix, and HP Indigo digital presses.
Two PDF-based packaging pre-press products will also be launched Apogee X PackEssential for automated job nesting and PackControl a full JDF compatible packaging pre-press workflow.
Newspaper pre-press kit will be another focus for the firm at the show where it will introduce a new low-cost platesetter and improved workflow products. The rise of newspaper print sites producing commercial work was one development that the firm identified as making Ipex increasingly relevant to the newspaper market.
Advantage X is a new 75 plate per minute machine aimed at smaller regional printers and as a back up device for larger operations. Software enhancements include a cross-platform client/server version of its image processing product Intellitune X and a new version of its workflow management tool Arkitex Intellitrak X, which features tracking agents to follow the progress of a job on a story, picture, page or advert level all the way through production. It is the first software to incorporate its own technology with that of Israeli software acquisition Proimage.
