BIRMINGHAM, U.K., April 4 -- The market’s fastest fully automated Very Large Format (VLF) platesetter now further automates the plate production process. The KODAK MAGNUS VLF platesetter adds a new fully integrated punch with accurate three point registration, providing critical quality control to help users eliminate costly on press errors. The integrated punch is available with ContinuousLoad or Multi-Cassette Unit automation options for streamlined platemaking and faster on press registration, and is fully configurable to match a wide variety of press requirements. The new inline punch builds upon the successful registration specification of the MAGNUS VLF platesetter that automatically corrects for temperature-related plate expansion and contraction, and for differences among platesetters—assuring precise fit and registration of all plates. The MAGNUS VLF platesetter with integrated punch supports multiple plate punch configurations. “Adding an integrated punch to the MAGNUS VLF platesetter gives our customers unmatched control over their production process,” said Jamie Lyall, Product Manager, VLF Output Devices, Kodak. “By virtually eliminating registration issues through automated plate punching, users of the MAGNUS VLF platesetter with integrated punch can provide their customers with a powerful combination of high quality printing, quick turnarounds and superior customer service.” SNEL Grafics, based in Liège, Belgium, recently installed a MAGNUS VLF platesetter featuring the new inline punch option. One of SNEL’s areas of operations is in high quality, short run book printing. According to Prepress Director Jean-Marc Carlo, the increase in productivity offered by the new punching feature of the MAGNUS VLF platesetter was a primary reason for SNEL Grafics selecting Kodak as its supplier. This new level of plate production is accomplished without compromising plate per hour performance or dot shape quality. “In terms of productivity and ease of use, the MAGNUS VLF platesetter is a terrific product. Its precise punching is a great way of increasing productivity, and given that we produce around 45,000 m2 of plates per year, having this as an automated operation saves us an incredible amount of time while shortening our printing start-up process,” said Carlo. “The quality of plate registration offers us a tremendous value-add for our many international clients, so we are pleased that since installation, the MAGNUS VLF platesetter has run problem free.” The MAGNUS VLF platesetter delivers outstanding speed, enhanced automation, process control with advanced thermal imaging, and exceptional quality for large commercial and packaging printers. The device now comes in four speeds: S, F, V and the new X-speed imaging option. The X-speed imaging option features the next generation Thermal Head 3 with 100 watts of laser power—for unprecedented imaging speed. The MAGNUS VLF platesetter with the X-speed imaging option enables imaging of up to 48 1,030 mm plates per hour, or 31 1,524 mm plates per hour at 2,400 dpi. The MAGNUS VLF QUANTUM platesetter features all MAGNUS VLF platesetter benefits, plus advanced KODAK SQUARESPOT thermal imaging technology. SQUARESPOT technology delivers end to end imaging integrity, from original file to press, despite variables such as laser power, plate emulsion sensitivity and processor variation. Specialist scholastic book printer Fernandez Ciudad in Madrid, Spain, installed a MAGNUS VLF platesetter with the X-speed imaging option late in 2005 to boost productivity and provide additional security in plate production. “Since the MAGNUS VLF platesetter went into live production in November alongside our earlier KODAK CTP system, we have almost tripled productivity in plate production, substantially increasing our ability to realize the throughput potential of our presses,” said Andres Fernandez, Director, Fernandez Ciudad. “We are now processing 300 to 400 plates a day, and the platesetter has been running problem free throughout this time. The investment in high speed large format CTP with Kodak means we are ideally placed to build on our 30 year heritage in this market and meet the demands of our educational publishing clients moving forward.” Kodak will demonstrate at IPEX the MAGNUS VLF platesetter with fully integrated punch and Multi-Cassette Unit automation at the Kodak stand in Hall 5, Stand D70.