Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) presents new platesetter product ranges for the computer-to-plate (CtP) market at Print 01 in Chicago. The Prosetter series is an expansion of Heidelberg's product range to include violet technology. For the first time, small and medium-sized print and prepress companies have a cost-effective means of moving into the professional CtP workflow. The new series uses internal drum technology and is available in 2up-, 4up- and 8up-formats. It features internal punching, has a small footprint and delivers high throughput to meet the needs in printing environments. The new Topsetter PF 102 adds to the top end of Heidelberg's product range. Some of the Topsetters’ outstanding features include increased plate throughput of up to 20 plates per hour, modular automation and variable plate formats. It supports the GTO 52 and Speedmaster 52 format. The product series is controlled via the new MetaDimension RIP and workflow software version 2.5 resp. 2.6 also launching at Print 01. MetaDimension in conjunction with the Prosetter and Topsetter series, means Heidelberg can now offer CtP solutions for all market sectors. Prosetter – efficient entry into CtP Plates are imaged with violet light using internal drum technology. This enables the Prosetter series to provide excellent plate production quality combined with an attractive price/performance ratio. The Prosetter's violet laser diode only uses 5 milliwatts of power and supports flexible resolutions of 2400, 2540 and 3386 dpi at wavelengths of 405 nanometers. Up to four different punch systems may be individually configured and integrated into the imagesetter. This ensures the flexibility necessary in the prepress stage. "The Prosetter series with 2-up, 4-up and 8-up formats guarantees entry into a highly productive and cost-effective CtP workflow for all potential CtP users and underlines Heidelberg’s commitment to this market segment," said Dr. Klaus Spiegel, member of the Heidelberg board and responsible for the Sheetfed Solution Center. "If the customer wants, we can provide him with on-site upgrade-options to ensure that the solution grows with the future needs of the user." One of the outstanding features of all Prosetters is their compact design that ensures a very small footprint. For necessary post-imaging of individual plates, the integrated temperature compensation system guarantees perfect register, even with temperature fluctuations. Both violet silver-halide plates and violet photopolymer plates can be imaged. The light-sensitive plates must be processed under yellow light. Unlike traditional darkrooms, this allows almost daylight conditions, thus minimizing limitations for the operator. The imaged plates can be developed on various processors available on the market, e.g. Agfa, Mitsubishi or others. The Prosetter 52 processes up to 20 plates per hour ranging from 370 x 323 mm to 670 x 525 mm and can be linked to formats ranging from the Quickmaster 46 up to the Speedmaster 52. An on-site upgrade to the Prosetter 74 allows users dynamic growth without costly new investments. The Prosetter 74's productivity begins at 16 plates per hour and increases to 24 with the high-speed version, which can also be upgraded on site. Print formats supported range from the Quickmaster 46 to the Speedmaster CD 74. The Prosetter 102 for formats ranging from the GTO 52 to the Speedmaster 102 is the flagship of the series. With up to four integrated punch systems it combines outstanding versatility with excellent performance – from 12 to 18 plates per hour. It can also be upgraded to the future high-speed version. The Prosetter 52, 74 and Prosetter 102 are among the fastest CtP units on the market. The Prosetters with the format upgrade options are available in October 2001, the on-site speed upgrades can be supplied to customers as of the beginning of 2002 onwards. Topsetter – high-end CtP for all formats The Topsetter range from Heidelberg now has a new model. The high-end CtP series with outside drum architecture and inline punching for complete register accuracy has been extended with the introduction of the Topsetter PF 102 (Plus Fast). This new Topsetter from Heidelberg is setting new improved standards for professional CtP imaging. The Topsetter with automatic plate loading device and Glunz & Jensen processor in standardized design is the first completely integrated, fully coordinated system on the market. Further similar systems are planned for the near future. "The new Topsetter covers all formats from the GTO 52 to B1+ and the customer can use the optional single and multi-cassette changers to customize the automation of his system," said Dr. Spiegel, explaining the advantages of the new solution. A new laser head with 64 diodes that can be exchanged separately means that the Topsetter PF 102 can produce speeds of up to 20 plates per hour at 2400 dpi in the Speedmaster 102 format. The Topsetter PF 102 will be available November 2001. Heidelberg manufactures the Topsetters and Prosetters in Kiel and supplies its customers with fully coordinated complete solutions based on Heidelberg RIP and workflow products. Modular workflow for the future Cost and time pressures in the printing industry make reliability, modularity, versatility and productivity increasingly important factors in the race to beat the competition. Products today can no longer stand on alone – only by interacting with other workflow components can they demonstrate their capacity for providing solutions. MetaDimension 2.5 is an improved version of Heidelberg's new modular RIP and workflow software for the PostScript and/or PDF-based workflow. As with all Heidelberg imagesetters, MetaDimension also grows with user needs. It can be used purely as a RIP with InRip trapping, elementary page positioning and color management functionality. The new version can be used in combination with Supertrap and the new version of Signastation as an open PDF solution for complete process control, including proofing. MetaDimension is the basis of Heidelberg's future workflow strategy and is therefore already configured for use with job tickets and JDF (Job Definition Format). All Topsetters are supported by MetaDimension, Delta and Prinergy. Although the Prosetter can only be controlled with MetaDimension 2.5, it can also be integrated into Delta or Prinergy environments.