NEXPO 2005 will see ECRM exhibit the NEWS CTP and the NEWSmatic on Booth 2661 at the Dallas Convention Center, Texas, as well as premiering the new MAXWorkFlow News v3.8 digital prepress production system. All three products follow the company's passion to make CTP more widely available and easier to operate. ECRM NEWSmatic A fully automated newspaper CTP system, the NEWSmatic is aimed at local and regional newspapers, requiring peak-time production of up to 80 broadsheet plates per hour. The NEWSmatic features a highly reliable slip-sheet removal system. This uniquely designed feature uses patented ECRM FleXarm technology to effortlessly remove slip sheets from digital plates. Sensors track the slip sheets through pick-up, removal and disposal, ensuring fast throughput and superior reliability as plates are imaged and automatically transferred to the processor. Peter Wilkens, ECRM Vice President Worldwide Marketing, comments, "The technology that we use is unique, allowing our products to be simple and reliable. We have provided low cost, high value solutions to the newspaper market for thirty-five years. The NEWSmatic, with our patented slip sheet removal system, continues this commitment to high quality manufacturing." Available for less than $100,000, the NEWSmatic appeals to both newspapers and contract web printers. The NEWSmatic achieves its low price through a simple design, combining a straight-through plate path with ECRM's proven Violet imaging technology. Exposure is by a long-life violet diode at any one of eight resolutions up to 2540 dpi. To provide flexibility to match its target market, the NEWSmatic has an output format which covers all popular web widths and press cut-offs, from 11.4" x 15.15", up to a maximum double-broadsheet format of 25" x 36.5". ECRM NEWS CTP The ECRM NEWS CTP system has similar features to the NEWSmatic but is semi-automatic and sells for less than $69,000. The NEWS CTP also provides a very fast change between imaging formats, from a single tabloid page to a double broadsheet. This can be an important asset for busy contract printers using more than one press for a variety of newspaper and heatset work. Peter continues, "The ECRM NEWS series has been designed to complement the production on single-width presses, such as the Goss Community, whether they are used for newspapers or commercial work. This market needs CTP solutions that are flexible, robust and cost effective. The advantage is not just in the price. Both products are easy to install, operate and maintain, keeping investment and ongoing running costs to a minimum." MAXWorkFlow News ECRM is pleased to announce the release of a major new update to the MAXWorkFlow News product. MWF News v3.8 is powered by Harlequin RIP technology and is focused on newspapers, publishers and web printers looking for an integrated prepress workflow solution that is automated, flexible and easy to configure. The MAXWorkFlow News package includes ten basic components, yet is easily scalable to grow with each user's environment. Peter comments, "We are excited to offer newspapers and publishers a cost-effective prepress production system, which includes imposition, a RIP and a PC platform, for under $30,000." MAXWorkFlow News streamlines and automates the prepress production process and manages the integrity and accuracy of page output, increasing the overall efficiency of operation. It is a powerful and flexible prepress production system designed specifically for the newspaper and publishing environment. ECRM is set to continue its philosophy of making newspaper CTP more affordable and flexible with the forthcoming launch of the NEWS Extra CTP system. The NEWS Extra will offer plate formats of up to 32" x 45", bringing all of the advantages of MAKO Imaging technology to newspaper printers operating wide web formats and longer cut-offs.