IFRA, Geneva, Switzerland – 15 October 2001 – Agfa announced the addition of a violet-laser imaging model to its Polaris family of automated green laser (FD-YAG) platesetters. This new model will bring a wide range of benefits to newspapers including lower cost of operation, convenient yellow-safelight operation, and potential imaging speed increases. Agfa Polaris is already the world’s leading computer-to-plate solution for newspapers with more than 350 systems installed worldwide. "We feel that the time is right for violet-laser imaging technology," says Mark Bussard, Agfa’s worldwide product manager for newspaper computer-to-plate solutions. "It’s reached the level of maturity and reliability required by newspaper environments. And as a pioneer in violet-laser imaging, Agfa understands it like no other solutions provider. This innovative technology has proven extremely successful with our commercial printing customers. Now we’ll bring the considerable benefits of violet-laser imaging to our newspaper customers." The new Polaris system will feature a violet-laser imaging system operating at 405 nm. Agfa Lithostar Ultra-V was designed specifically for Agfa violet-imaging platesetters. The new Polaris model can also image any violet-laser imaged plate, available from a number of vendors. Agfa will begin taking orders for Polaris Violet systems at IFRA. The Benefits Of Violet-Laser Imaging. The violet laser used in the new Polaris system has an extremely long life expectancy, enabling lower cost of operation, a key need of newspaper operations. While Polaris already achieves throughput of up to 235 plates per hour, violet-laser imaging offers the potential of even greater efficiency. "The use of violet-laser imaging offers the opportunity to go beyond the current speed limitations of Fd-YAG, green-laser systems," says Bussard. "Plus, it’s an extremely stable laser that provides optimal exposure shift after shift, year after year." Violet plates can be handled conveniently in yellow-safelight conditions, eliminating the need for a separate plate-loading area. Newspapers can now source violet-laser plates from multiple vendors, ensuring a supply of plates at a reasonable price. "Today’s newspapers need to operate as efficiently, reliably, and cost-effectively as possible," says Bussard. "Agfa’s new Polaris violet-laser imaging model meets these needs and more." The Polaris family includes the high-productivity Polaris 200, the flexible Polaris 100 (also available with a pre-loader option), and the economical Polaris 100E. All systems feature a generous format size of up to 25.6 x 36 inches (650 x 914 mm) that allows for output of a wide range of plate formats, including optional custom tables of up to 25.6 x 41.1 inches (650 x 1045mm). Continuing Agfa’s Violet-Laser Imaging Leadership. The new Polaris system 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, as well as the 4-up Agfa Palladio system. "Printers around the world are recognising the powerful benefits of violet-laser imaging, including speed, low cost of operation, and high reliability," says Bussard. "Now newspapers can get these benefits in a solution that matches their specific needs." A Complete Solution For Newspaper Printers. No other manufacturer brings such a wide range of solutions for newspaper printers, including workflow software, digital proofing, screening, computer-to-plate systems, imagesetting systems, film, plates and comprehensive service.