Mortsel, Belgium – Drupa – 18 February 2004 – Agfa announced the launch of a new :Palladio targeted at entry-level users. The new system, a 4-up violet platesetter, is a manual loading system with an optional online processor. The Manual-Input :Palladio will be initially delivered with the extremely reliable 5mW laser diode used in the fully-automated :Palladio system. In July, both the manual-input, and the automatic :Palladio will switch over to the 30mW laser diode. The new system outputs plates at a slower rate than the automated :Palladio systems (17 plates per hour compared to 20 plates per hour). The new systems come in at a lower price, removing the barrier of entry to CtP that some commercial printers face. “This new entry-level :Palladio system gives more printers the chance to get into high-quality CtP at an affordable price. The new system is nearly as fast as the automated version, and provides the same high-quality output,” said Theo De Keersmaecker, Agfa’s director of CtP. “We expect that 30mW violet laser diodes will become the de facto standard for violet imaging.” The manual :Palladio will be available in May 2004. Systems with 30mW lasers will be available after July 2004. Agfa’s solutions and services can be found at Drupa 2004 in Hall 06/D27. About :Palladio. The :Palladio is Agfa’s 4-up (B2) flatbed platesetter that brings a combination of automation, reliability and quality in an extremely affordable solution. Its violet-laser imaging raises throughput and lowers the total cost of ownership.