Rolling Meadows, IL --March 31, 2003-- The Clarksburg (West Virginia) Exponent Telegram installed alfaQuest Technologies’ revolutionary FasTRAK CTP/Conventional imaging device last week. The FasTRAK CTP/C’s breakthrough technology uses conventional plates and a UV laser that allows high-volume plate consumers to utilize conventional UV sensitive offset plates instead of the high-cost specialty plates required by thermal or visible light CTP technologies. There is no need for special lighting conditions, changing existing plate processors or benders. The CTP/C can simply plug and play as a replacement for existing film imagers and plate burning equipment. “We were very impressed with both the speed and the quality of the image on the plate,” said Clarksburg Production Director Frank Bolyard. “The dots were very sharp. The installers were very professional and very willing to share information with us whenever we had a question. The machine seems to be very user friendly and simple to maintain and operate.” FasTRAK CTP/C is the newest member of the Panther FasTRAK family that pioneered the CTP imaging marketplace with its installed base of large-format Argon Ion, Yag and Violet metal plate imagers. The FasTRAK CTP/C was announced at Nexpo '02. The Clarksburg installation is the second of a dozen scheduled for completion by the end of May. “We are ecstatic about our CTP/C installations,” said Tony Ford, president of PrePRESS Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of alfaQuest Technolgies, Inc. “Other than for a couple of problems with shipping damage, the CTP/C has installed almost flawlessly. We have met our defined requirements and I believe in some cases the work of our development team has exceeded our specifications and expectations.” FasTRAK CTP/C can image single or double-truck newspaper pages at 1016, 1200, 1270, 1524 or 1800 DPI. Rated at either 75 or 125 broadsheet plates per hour (at 1016 DPI), FasTRAK CTP/C allows manual feed for low throughput operations or quickly connects to the 350-plate-capacity TRAKmate autoloader and slip-sheet remover. FasTRAK CTP/C directly connects to on-line processing and plate bending equipment. The imaging engine is only 96" (L) x 72" (H) x 48" (W) and fits in almost the same space as existing film recorders. “This is another example of alfaQuest’s pursuing its goal to continually provide breakthrough newspaper production technology,” said Dennis Nierman, president of alfaQuest. “Our CTP experience told us that the additional costs associated with non-conventional plates eradicated film savings and was a problem for our customers. CTP/C is a costjustifiable path that allows newspapers to move to the CTP world,” added Nierman. “We’re extremely proud of our staff at PrePRESS. It developed, delivered and installed the product as advertised in a timely manner.” For more information, Contact: John Lally, Senior Vice President, Group Sales at 427-8800 ext. 102 [email protected] www.alfaQuest.com