Viostar

To cater to the increasing demand for violet plates, TechNova Imaging Systems launched Viostar, the violet CTP plate. Today TechNova caters to thousands of Indian print firms, says Rahul Kumar

20 Jul 2012 | By PrintWeek India

Viostar has high output of upto 300 plates per hour and can print 2,50,000 copies

The conversion from analog PS plates to CTP plates and platesetters in India started with the introduction of thermal CTP plates in early 2000. Due to the higher cost-in-use and total cost of ownership of thermal CTP technology, and the need for a high-sensitivity robust-on-the-press CTP plate, TechNova Imaging Systems launched Viostar photopolymer violet CTP plate in 2008 along with a full CTP system solution.

Today, the total consumption of violet CTP plate in India is significantly higher than thermal CTP plates. Almost the entire newspaper industry uses Viostar plates from TechNova. It has very high output per hour, which goes up to 300 plates per hour and run-lengths of over 2,50,000 copies routinely printed on newsprint on high-speed web offset presses.

Packaging printers also find Viostar significantly superior in terms of run-length, especially for UV ink printing and re-usability of the plate for repeat jobs. Besides packaging print firms, service bureaus and commercial printers have opted for Viostar plates due to its simplicity of use as compared to other technologies.

TechNova introduced VioGreen, chemistry-free violet CTP plates. These plates do not require any developer or water for processing after exposure in the platesetter. The plates go directly to the press after passing through a simple clean-out unit that cures and gums up the plates. The water-saving feature, holds a high level of promise for this technology.

These violet plates can be used on any violet CTP platesetter. The range of violet platesetters offered by TechNova include Viostar F and the Alinte series, powered by FFEI; Advantage N which is powered by Agfa; VMax E powered by Dotline, and PFR, which is powered by Screen. The Violet plate can be processed by using the recommended Violet CTP processors such as Glunz & Jensen and Proteck Machinery.

Manufacturing process

The manufacturing processes for violet CTP plate is extremely sophisticated. All violet plates are manufactured using a special litho grade of aluminium for CTP plates.

Violet CTP plate is manufactured on a fully automated custom-designed plate production line. For example, in TechNova’s plant, a single continuous process line produces finished stacks of plates directly from the coils received from aluminium suppliers. The main stages in production are uncoiling; removal of the chemical layer on the surface; electro-graining and anodising; coating; auto inspection using lasers; auto interleaving; sheeting and packing. TechNova manufacture’s these plates in technical collaboration with Agfa.

S Swarnangka, general manager-CTP solutions at TechNova Imaging Systems, says, “Since its launch in 2008, hundreds of printing facilities are using TechNova’s violet CTP solutions. We ensure zero disruptions in the supply chain. We presently serve the entire SAARC region and our technology partner Agfa, serves the rest of the world.”

Key features and benefits

The plate has wide exposure and development latitude and can produce strong image contrast due to colour of the coating and excellent dot reproduction.

Shreerang Joshi, general manager, sales-digital plates at TechNova Imaging Systems, says, “The colour of the coating also plays an important role. The image and non-image areas can be easily distinguished. Besides, it is compatible with UV inks and is ideally suited for long-run newspapers, commercial and packaging printing.”

The new generation of Viostar plate allows 1%–99% dot reproduction. It can produce up to 200lpi with conventional and up to 340lpi imaging with hybrid or FM screening which ensures the highest quality in all print applications.

Customer testimonial

Hi-Tech Printing Services, the Mumbai-based printing firm, has been using the Viostar plates for more than a year and is a satisfied user. The print firm specialises in high quality commercial print products, which includes, diaries, catalogues, brochures, posters, annual reports, saddle-stitched books and perfect-bound books among others.

Faheem Agboatwala, director, Hi-tech Printing Services, Mumbai, says, “We are using these plates for more than a year and our daily consumption is 150 plates with a size of 605x745 mm. We opted for the Viostar plates because of its robustness, image contrast on the surface, fast processing and the run-length.”

Specifications

Plate Type Negative-working Violet photopolymer plate

Spectral sensitivity 405 nm violet diode

Safe Light Yellow

Thickness 0.15mm -0.30mm

Resolution 1% to 99%, 200 lpi AM, 340 lpi Hybrid

Image colour Blue

Run-length Up to 350,000 impressions unbaked;

over 700,000 with baking

Contact TechNova Imaging Systems

Swarnangka Samaddar
+91 98200 96949

swarnangka@technovaindia.com