CTP platesetter: Exposure equipment for plates

Although various types of CTP systems have different principles, they are composed of the following components.

1. CTP platesetter: Exposure equipment for plates.

2. Auxiliary equipment such as process flow, related software, various screening technologies, and digital proofing systems: software processing and screening processing of graphic documents to be printed; using workflow to control platemaking machines, digital inkjet proofing machines, etc. Output equipment and transmit CIP information; digital inkjet proofing system, used to print digital samples for customers to sign and proofreading, generally print factory can purchase.

3. CTP processing equipment: the general plate material needs development and cleaning before it can be used. CTP has higher requirements on the processing equipment than the traditional printing method. The main requirement is that the volume of the development cylinder is large to ensure the stability of the syrup. In addition, the temperature control requirements for the syrup are more stringent because the temperature and the developer concentration affect the dot size after development.

4. Automatically uploading system and connecting device of CTP machine and receiving device: This type of device can improve work efficiency and reduce the labor intensity of workers. For economic printing plants, they can be omitted, or they can be purchased separately as needed. Such automated devices are indispensable for large-scale printers and newspapers and other efficient printers.

Consider choosing the right CTP system

1. Considered from the system's platemaking quality: The quality of plate-making outlets for thermal, violet laser, C Tc P (UV-CTP, CTdP) has always been the focus of controversy. For CTP and PS version body plate making effect, blunt version The system also commented on the quality of the final printing plate. The characteristics of different workflows, the use of multiple network technologies, and the application of frequency-modulation network technology are different for each manufacturer. For the printing factory, objective evaluation and appropriate comparison are very necessary. Choosing the system that is suitable for their own job characteristics, which is neither wasteful nor expansive, must be considered when everyone chooses.

2. From the system's capacity to consider: According to their own printing equipment capacity to choose the speed of the plate making machine. The speed of the plate making machine is generally divided into 10 pieces/hour, 20 pieces/hour or so, 30 pieces/hour or so, and a higher-speed model depending on the model and configuration. The faster the machine speed, the higher the price. Generally, one or two printers can choose a machine with 10 to 20 sheets/hour. Such a machine can print 90 to 200 sheets of off-press printing plates every day according to 10 hours, equivalent to 20 to 50 sheets.

3. Considering the upgrade of production capacity: Considering the speed of plate-making, the equipment is expected to have the potential of speed increase in order to increase the speed of the later printing presses; of course, from the perspective of stability and security, many factories After adding presses, instead of upgrading the CTP platemaking system, we will increase the number of CTP equipment. While increasing the CTP production capacity, we will also carry out mutual backup of two machines.

4. Considering the actual operating cost: On the one hand, the number of equipments that are put in one operation is generally considered more by the printing factory, although many manufacturers can now purchase the machines through financing. On the other hand, investment in operating costs is long-term, so consideration of related products and consumables is also indispensable.

5. Considered from the degree of automation: If the daily platemaking volume is not very large, the automatic plate loading and connection of the bridge device can be omitted. Of course, this completely depends on the printing plant's understanding of the staffing and work arrangement of the plate making process. This part of the equipment It can also be added later.