October 28, 2004 -- Heidelberg now offers the Prosetter (violet Computer-to-plate (CtP) technology) with new features. The 1.000th unit of the Prosetter is going to be shipped by the end of this year already. Multi Cassette Loader increases flexibility when using multiple formats Prosetter series CtP recorders can be expanded and the system as a whole can grow by adding either a Single Cassette Loader (SCL) or Multi Cassette Loader (MCL). For increased flexibility and automation when using multiple formats, the system can be expanded further through the addition of the new Multi Cassette Loader, which was launched at drupa 2004 with shipment since middle of September. It holds up to 600 6 mil. (0,15mm) plates or 400 12 mil. (0,30mm) plates ready for fully automated plate production. The MCL allows cassettes to be exchanged while the imaging process is underway. This reduces downtime and increases overall profitability. The SCL’s integrated conveyor system transports the plate automatically to the imaging device and then to the narrow online processor for development. It also ensures automatic removal of the slip sheets and collects up to 400 sheets in an integrated collection tray. Manual Plate Feeding System for more job flexibility The Manual Plate Feeding System is a new feature that offers job flexibility. The SCL or MCL is connected to the loading/unloading table of the Prosetter. The Manual Plate Feeding System allows the user to manually insert the plate into the machine via a tray between the Prosetter and the SCL with full automation beginning at that point. This allows plate formats not loaded in the SCL or MCL to be easily and immediately imaged and processed. Modularity to meet business growth The Prosetter family incorporates a philosophy of modularity. Every model in the Prosetter series can be expanded to meet business growth, with on-site retrofitting. The Prosetter is designed to image and process 16 plates per hour in four-page format and up to 12 plates per hour in eight-page format. The high-speed Prosetters (F 74 and F 102) can output 24 and 18 plates per hour respectively. Prinect and Plate on demand for more plate output The seamless integration of all print processes into a standardized workflow is the secret to peak performance and the cost-effectiveness of any print system. The Prosetter can easily be integrated into a JDF-based Prinect Printready or Prinect MetaDimension workflow. Prinect’s secure data flow guarantees maximum plate throughput by decoupling the plate imaging process from the digital plate creation. At any time the plates for each printing job can be easily accessed by the operator at the Prinect CP2000 Center, which allows the operator to launch plate remakes or determine overall plate output from the press console thus adding a higher degree of integration between the prepress and the press room. This “Plate on Demand” function is unique to Heidelberg and is part of the future of print processing. Consumables On the consumables side Heidelberg offers a new violet plate technology. In parallel to the existing silver-halide plate Saphira Violet (for the U.S. market only) Heidelberg is now introducing the Saphira Photopolymer to its worldwide markets. The advantages of violet photopolymer plates are higher stability and less maintenance efforts on the processor side. “With the Prosetter family Heidelberg offers a series of violet CtP devices that sets the benchmark in its class. A wide variety of options and attractive pricing make this series of platesetters an interesting investment alternative for all commercial printers,” says Andreas Forer, head of product management with Heidelberg Imaging Systems.