CHICAGO, September 8, 2005 – Heidelberg will unveil a new addition to its family of high quality, value-added consumable products with the worldwide launch of the Saphira Chemfree Thermal Plate at PRINT ’05 in Chicago. The negative working, offset aluminum plates are offered alongside Heidelberg’s latest computer-to-plate thermal platesetter, the Suprasetter, as the Saphira Chemfree Thermal Plate solution – an unparalleled market combination. “Heidelberg is pleased to offer the next generation high-quality thermal plate to the market as part of our continued commitment to delivering innovative technologies to our customers,” said Rick Boggess, director of consumables, Heidelberg USA. “Using Saphira Chemfree Thermal Plate technology in conjunction with the Suprasetter, printers can produce high-quality products while accruing tremendous savings and simplifying production from the prepress department to the pressroom.” The new plate technology was developed as an extension of technical advances established with the Speedmaster SM 74 DI’s Saphira Thermoplate PL from Heidelberg. The Saphira Chemfree Thermal Plate is a traditional aluminum grained printing plate that uses a new coating technology called micro spheres. The latex-based micro sphere coating is non-ablative and eliminates traditional thermal plate processing variables. The Suprasetter’s patented thermal laser (830nm) is used to bond the micro spheres to the base metal and expose the plate, forming the printing image. Designed for a wide range of sheetfed commercial printing applications, Saphira Chemfree Thermal Plate uses no developer, no water and no large footprint processor. The technology reduces chemical costs by eliminating high-volume water and waste associated with the traditional thermal process and is environmentally friendly. Notable features of Heidelberg’s Saphira Chemfree Thermal Plate include: - Next generation chemistry-free technology with micro sphere coating - Superior lithographic properties - Non-ablative technology - Normal white light handling - Supports Heidelberg Suprasetters, Topsetters and Trendsetters - Excellent visual image contrast - 100k + run length capable - UV ink compatible - Simplifies production - Expose / Gum / Print As with all Heidelberg consumables products, the Saphira Chemfree Plate was developed in close cooperation between Heidelberg and the world’s leading consumable manufacturers to deliver optimum performance with Heidelberg equipment. Heidelberg consumables and prepress experts will be on hand at PRINT ‘05 to introduce the Saphira Chemfree Thermal Plate Solution, answer questions and guide booth visitors through the company’s various consumables offerings.