Prosetter violet imagesetters and additional Topsetter round off
the product portfolio - solutions for all market segments
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) presents new
platesetter product ranges for the computer-to-plate (CtP) market
at Print 01 in Chicago. The Prosetter series is an expansion of
Heidelberg's product range to include violet technology. For
the first time, small and medium-sized print and prepress companies
have a cost-effective means of moving into the professional CtP
workflow. The new series uses internal drum technology and is
available in 2up-, 4up- and 8up-formats. It features internal
punching, has a small footprint and delivers high throughput to
meet the needs in printing environments. The new Topsetter PF 102
adds to the top end of Heidelberg's product range. Some of the
Topsetters' outstanding features include increased plate throughput
of up to 20 plates per hour, modular automation and variable plate
formats. It supports the GTO 52 and Speedmaster 52 format.
The product series is controlled via the new MetaDimension
RIP and workflow software version 2.5 resp. 2.6 also launching at
Print 01. MetaDimension in conjunction with the Prosetter and
Topsetter series, means Heidelberg can now offer CtP solutions for
all market sectors.
Prosetter - efficient entry into CtP
Plates are imaged with violet light using internal drum
technology. This enables the Prosetter series to provide excellent
plate production quality combined with an attractive
price/performance ratio. The Prosetter's violet laser diode
only uses 5 milliwatts of power and supports flexible resolutions
of 2400, 2540 and 3386 dpi at wavelengths of 405 nanometers. Up to
four different punch systems may be individually configured and
integrated into the imagesetter. This ensures the flexibility
necessary in the prepress stage. One of the outstanding features of
all Prosetters is their compact design that ensures a very small
footprint. For necessary post-imaging of individual plates, the
integrated temperature compensation system guarantees perfect
register, even with temperature fluctuations.
Both violet silver-halide plates and violet photopolymer
plates can be imaged. The light-sensitive plates must be processed
under yellow light. Unlike traditional darkrooms, this allows
almost daylight conditions, thus minimizing limitations for the
operator. The imaged plates can be developed on various processors
available on the market, e.g. Agfa, Mitsubishi or others. The
Prosetter 52 processes up to 20 plates per hour ranging from 370 x
323 mm to 670 x 525 mm and can be linked to formats ranging from
the Quickmaster 46 up to the Speedmaster 52. An on-site upgrade to
the Prosetter 74 allows users dynamic growth without costly new
investments. The Prosetter 74's productivity begins at 16
plates per hour and increases to 24 with the high-speed version,
which can also be upgraded on site. Print formats supported range
from the Quickmaster 46 to the Speedmaster CD 74. The Prosetter 102
for formats ranging from the GTO 52 to the Speedmaster 102 is the
flagship of the series. With up to four integrated punch systems it
combines outstanding versatility with excellent performance -
from 12 to 18 plates per hour. It can also be upgraded to the
future high-speed version. The Prosetter 52, 74 and Prosetter 102
are among the fastest CtP units on the market. The Prosetters with
the format upgrade options are available in October 2001, the
on-site speed upgrades can be supplied to customers as of the
beginning of 2002 onwards.
Topsetter - high-end CtP for all formats
The Topsetter range from Heidelberg now has a new model. The
high-end CtP series with outside drum architecture and inline
punching for complete register accuracy has been extended with the
introduction of the Topsetter PF 102 (Plus Fast). This new
Topsetter from Heidelberg is setting new improved standards for
professional CtP imaging. The Topsetter with automatic plate
loading device and Glunz & Jensen processor in standardized
design is the first completely integrated, fully coordinated system
on the market. Further similar systems are planned for the near
future.
"The new Topsetter covers all formats from the GTO 52 to
B1+ and the customer can use the optional single and multi-cassette
changers to customize the automation of his system," said Dr.
Spiegel, explaining the advantages of the new solution. A new
laser head with 64 diodes that can be exchanged separately means
that the Topsetter PF 102 can produce speeds of up to 20 plates per
hour at 2400 dpi in the Speedmaster 102 format. The Topsetter PF
102 will be available November 2001. Heidelberg manufactures the
Topsetters and Prosetters in Kiel and supplies its customers with
fully coordinated complete solutions based on Heidelberg RIP and
workflow products.
Modular workflow for the future
Cost and time pressures in the printing industry make
reliability, modularity, versatility and productivity increasingly
important factors in the race to beat the competition. Products
today can no longer stand on alone - only by interacting with
other workflow components can they demonstrate their capacity for
providing solutions. MetaDimension 2.5 is an improved version of
Heidelberg's new modular RIP and workflow software for the
PostScript and/or PDF-based workflow. As with all Heidelberg
imagesetters, MetaDimension also grows with user needs. It can be
used purely as a RIP with InRip trapping, elementary page
positioning and color management functionality. The new version can
be used in combination with Supertrap and the new version of
Signastation as an open PDF solution for complete process control,
including proofing. MetaDimension is the basis of Heidelberg's
future workflow strategy and is therefore already configured for
use with job tickets and JDF (Job Definition Format).
All Topsetters are supported by MetaDimension, Delta and
Prinergy. Although the Prosetter can only be controlled with
MetaDimension 2.5, it can also be integrated into Delta or Prinergy
environments.
Image:
The Prosetters - Heidelberg´s new platesetter
family - works with violet laser technology. The
light-sensitive plates must be processed under yellow light, but
allowing almost daylight conditions.
For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Matthias Hartung
Corporate Communications
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 50 77
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 50 46
E-mail:
matthias.hartung@heidelberg.com