CTP - Computer to Plate
MIMAKI PRESENTS THE JPP-60-12, an INKJET CTP SOLUTION
Friday 08. August 2008 - At drupa in Düsseldorf (May 29th to June 11th, 2008) Mimaki is exhibiting its inkjet Computer-to-Plate (CtP) solution, the JPP-60-12.
Mimaki Engineering, a leading manufacturer of wide format inkjet printers and cutting machines for the Sign / Graphics, Industrial markets, and Textile / Apparel, enters the CtP market with the presentation of the JPP-60-12.
Inkjet CtP means that instead of conventional laser imaging of a plate, inkjet dots are printed on the plate surface much like on a sheet of paper. Imaged Mimaki inkjet CtP plates are directly produced from the desktop of the user and can be put directly on press after leaving the JPP-60-12.
This inkjet CtP solution accomodates aluminum based plates and uses specialised solvent inks to generate the image on the plate. It achieves a speed of up to 8 plates per hour in the maximum size of 560 x 720 mm (minimum size 330 x 280 mm). Due to its unique technology the plates come out of the machine ready to be put on press. This eliminates the need for further processing as well as processing equipment
The JPP-60-12 caters to the demands of small to mid-size commercial printers for an affordable and productive as well as efficient plate making system. The plate price of appr. 7 /sqm is much like the price for analog plates. Thus printers are gaining the advantage of a chemical free plate making system without having to pay for chemical free plates. In addition printers can make their own plates instead of having to pay imaging costs to litho studios.
As the plates can be handled and produced under daylight conditions, the need for a darkroom is eliminated. Basically the JPP-60-12 could be standing in an office environment. In addition there are no disposal costs of chemical waste.
The JPP-60-12 features an automatic media feed system and auto cuting function among others. It is equipped with Mimakis unique UISS (Uninterrupted Ink Supply System) where when one cartridge is empty the machine automatically switches to the other ink cartridge. Thus the ink cartridge can be exchanged “on the fly” anytime freeing personnel to attend to other tasks and only checking periodically on the CtP machine.
In addition the CtP features an automatic head cleaning system ensuring proper head and nozzle conditions for jetting the plates.
Printers can enjoy enhanced cost performance by eliminating conventional imaging processes. The ease of use of the dedicated JPP-RIP results in just having to submit the files to the rip and the plates will print automatically. The JPP-60-12 uses MImakis RIP technology with FM screening and delivers a native 1200 dpi resolution.
“We are pleased to present commercial printers with an alternative to conventional plate makring. Our inkjet CtP solution offfers printers an affordable entrance into digital generation of plates at roughly the same consumables costs associated with analog plate making”, says Masaaki Fujita, Senior Managing Director Mimaki Japan.