Agfa Graphics launched its chemistry-free plates for the newspaper industry in 2007, followed by its N94-VCF chemistry-free violet offset plate in 2011. Since then, more than 70% of Agfa Graphics’ newspaper customers worldwide currently use its chemistry-free plate technology for the production of newspapers. At the World Publishing Expo (WPE) October 5-7, 2015 in Hamburg, Germany, Agfa Graphics will introduce its new N95-VCF plate that “pushes chemistry-free technology to the next level.” The new product is characterized as a universal plate that “gives today’s newspaper printers the required flexibility and ease of mind to master today’s challenges.” The N95-VCF is currently being used by selected customers and will be available in early 2016. Features include:
- Improved robustness on press that supports higher run lengths up to 300,000 sheets (depending on the conditions of the press).
- Support for UV ink printing allowing for more flexibility when printing semi-commercial jobs and special applications.
- Extremely high image contrast, plate inspection and optical recognition by punch & bending equipment, making it easy to avoid mix-ups on press.
- Once cleaned-out, the plate is fully daylight resistant and features high scratch resistance.
Compared to conventional polymer plates and other plate technologies, chemistry-free plates offer plate production that’s extremely stable along with easier maintenance. At WPE 2015, Agfa will also introduce an improved version of its cascade technology in its Attiro Clean-Out Unit, improvements for its Advantage N Platesetters, and added features in its new Arkitex Production Workflow Software.
Agfa added that smaller, more frequent editions require faster plate make-ready times. Platesetters, such as its new Advantage N-TR HS and Advantage N-TR VHS, in combination with its new Attiro VHS Clean-Out unit (also launched at WPE 2015), can produce up to 400 plates per hour. The new N95-VCF plate is fully compatible with the existing series of violet processors and clean-out units. Its implementation requires no changes in the platesetter, the COU or the press. Using the new plate in combination with the new Attiro VHS Clean-Out unit results in minimal gum consumption and maximum clean-out effect, said the company.
Agfa Graphic Systems Canada is located in Mississauga, Ontario.
