Combination of new :Avalon N8-80 XT with :Azura TS ThermoFuse chem-free plates and new :Azura Ultima Clean Out Unit brings the benefits of chemical-free plate making to high-volume printers

Mortsel, Belgium – At the IGAS 2011 (International Graphic Arts Show) held 16-21 September in Tokyo, Japan, Agfa Graphics will debut the :Azura TS System. The high-volume system combines the :Avalon N8-80 XT platesetter, with the new :Azura Ultima, a high-capacity Clean Out Unit (COU) designed to keep pace with Agfa's new :Avalon, and :Azura TS chem-free plates, based on :Agfa's patented ThermoFuse technology. The new system from Agfa Graphics easily handles 40,000 m2 plates a year and offers the benefits of its chem-free :Azura to high-volume users.

The :Avalon N8-80 XT features a new generation laser imager which improves image quality and throughput. The :Azura Ultima Clean Out Unit removes the non-imaged areas from the plate after laser imaging. This new COU has been redesigned in keeping with Agfa Graphics commitment to continually lower environmental impact without sacrificing quality or speed. It offers high-volume users even greater environmental benefits. It is easy to use and maintain, requires no water connection, and generates only a fraction of waste of comparable systems.

"The :Azura system now also responds to the needs of larger, high-volume printers," said Ralph Hilsdon, Head of Product Marketing at Agfa Graphics. "We can comfortably say that no other manufacturer can offer this level of productivity, quality and environmental benefit with one solution. Moreover, in combination with Agfa Graphics' :Apogee workflow and the :Sublima cross-modulated (XM) screening it outperforms any other solution in the market on speed, ease of use and process stability."

The new design of the :Avalon N8-80 XT also took the environmental impact into consideration: a new standby mode saves 88% on power consumption without compromising productivity.

Agfa Graphics says the new system clearly positions :Azura as a mainstream technology; it underlines Agfa's innovative approach towards more sustainability in the printing industry. It's launch at IGAS in Tokyo strengthens Agfa Graphics' position as the leading provider of chem.-free solutions in one of the largest printing markets in the world.