CTP - Computer to Plate
Screen PlateRite 4300 the Cornerstone of Plate Production for Half-Size Presses
Tuesday 04. March 2008 - Continued demand for half-size presses among midsize to smaller offset shops is providing a fertile market for the Screen PlateRite 4300 series thermal platesetter. Daily presentations in the Screen booth (#1064) at Graphics of the Americas will include the popular four-up (B2) CTP device.
Screen developed the PlateRite 4300 series to complement the four-page and six-page presses found in many pressrooms. PlateRite 4300 series platesetters are available in two models: PlateRite 4300E and PlateRite 4300S.
With a minimum plate size of 12 inches x 14.6 inches (304 mm x 370 mm), the two models in the PlateRite 4300 series can satisfy the two-up format still very much in use for short-run printing. Six-up production is possible as well, thanks to the maximum plate size of 32.7 inches x 26 inches (830 mm x 660 mm).
The PlateRite 4300E is ideal for first-time CTP buyers. This entry-level device features a 16-channel laser diode exposure head that supports imaging resolutions of 2,400 dpi, 2,438 dpi and 2,540 dpi. It outputs 11 plates per hour when imaging 28.5 x 24.2-inch (724 mm x 615 mm) plates at 2,400 dpi.
Users can upgrade the PlateRite 4300E to achieve greater output capacity at their production facilities. Starting with the same base engine, the PlateRite 4300E can be upgraded from an entry-level manual machine to a faster, fully automated model by simply replacing certain key parts.
The PlateRite 4300S is engineered to meet the needs of customers requiring higher productivity and finer image reproduction. The PlateRite 4300S incorporates a 32-channel exposure head, supporting imaging resolutions from 1,200 dpi to 4,000 dpi. At 2,400 dpi, it outputs 21 plates per hour.
Screen’s unique clamping and automatic drum balancing systems provide the precision and stability necessary for handling a wide range of plate formats at high speed. The PlateRite 4300E and PlateRite 4300S also feature automatic inline plate punching, a key feature for maintaining high-precision plate registration to enable quicker press makereadies.
Automatic plate handling is an important feature for maximum use of the system and to increase profitability. The optional single-cassette autoloader with automatic interleaf paper removal can hold up to 100 plates. The multiple-cassette autoloader comes with three cassettes, each able to hold a different plate size for a total of 300 plates.
Screen (USA) will present the PlateRite 4300S in booth #1064, at Graphics of the Americas, February 28-March 1 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.