PRINT ’01, Chicago, Illinois – September 6, 2001 – Agfa expanded its family of violet-laser computer-to-plate solutions with the introduction of Agfa Palladio, a fully automated, 4-up (B2) flatbed platesetter designed for small- to medium-sized printers. "With Agfa Palladio, we’re offering our 4-up customers an advanced, automated, integrated computer-to-plate solution at an affordable price," said Chris Parent, senior product line manager at Agfa. "Until now, if you were a 4-up commercial printer, making the move to computer-to-plate was a difficult, expensive, and potentially risky decision. Now Agfa Palladio lets these printers get the inherent efficiencies and cost-of-ownership advantages of violet-imaging technology." Agfa Palladio is available for shipment in Q1, 2002 Providing Automation For Today’s Printers. Agfa Palladio is a fully automated system that requires minimal attention from operators. Automated plate loading and handling simplifies the process. A special media cassette keeps 50 plates online and ready for imaging – eliminating the need for an operator to manually load each plate. And the system automatically removes slip sheets. "These advanced automation features mean ‘hands-off’ operation," says Parent. "Printers just load the cassette and move on to more strategic work." An optional internal notching system further automates the process, and enables users to switch between two notching configurations as required. Integrating The Plate And The Engine For Optimal Quality. Agfa Palladio outputs Agfa’s industry-leading Agfa Lithostar LAP-V plates, a high-sensitivity plate designed for ideal imaging with the shorter wavelength (410nm) of Agfa Palladio’s violet laser. Agfa Palladio outputs plates at 1200, 2400 and 3000 dpi – offering printers the wide range of resolutions they need to meet the needs of their customers. By leveraging its leadership in all aspects of computer-to-plate technology, Agfa integrates and optimizes the plate, engine, and online processor for best results. Designed For Unparalleled Reliability. Agfa Palladio is based on a proven, reliable flatbed design that enables plates to be stored and imaged horizontally – a simple approach that ensures maximum reliability. A precision-engineered transport system allows the imaging table to move smoothly across the imaging plane – providing accurate imaging every time. Plus, the system’s violet laser diode is extremely reliable, providing consistent laser output for 7,000+ hours. "Printers need confidence that their platesetting operation is as reliable and consistent as possible," said Parent. "The quest for profitability demands that printers produce more jobs per shift than they have in the past – requiring daily commitment to more customers than ever before. The rock-solid performance of Agfa Palladio ensures their capacity to produce consistent plates – now and far into the future." Continuing Agfa’s Violet-Laser Imaging Leadership. Agfa Palladio joins Agfa’s family of violet-laser imaging systems – Galileo VS and VXT – which provide high-quality output and fast speeds in an 8-up (44-inch) format. "Printers around the world are recognizing the powerful benefits of violet-laser imaging – fast imaging speeds, low cost of ownership, and high reliability," said Parent. "Now they can get these benefits in a solution that matches a wide range of popular 4-up press formats." A Complete Solution For Computer-To-Plate Workflow. No other manufacturer brings such a wide range of solutions for computer-to-plate printers. Customers can opt for thermal or visible-light imaging, medium or high throughput, medium or long run lengths, or a 4-up, 8-up, or VLF format. Agfa solutions go beyond the platesetter to include advanced workflow (Apogee Series3), high-quality screening (Agfa Balanced Screening and CristalRaster stochastic screening), digital proofing (Agfa Sherpa), responsive service and support (Agfa Professional Support), and all the other elements today's customers need to succeed with computer-to-plate."