Agfa Introduces Elite CtP Platesetters
Offering printers the best technology to perform
Agfa announced the Elite versions of the Xcalibur VLF large-format CtP (computer-to-plate) platesetter and the Xcalibur 45 8-up CtP platesetters.
Xcalibur Elite platesetters allow users to image with high-level screening solutions including FM (CristalRaster) and XM (Sublima), as well as AM (Agfa Balanced Screening). The Elite Xcalibur VLF and Xcalibur 45 represent Agfa's ability to push the boundaries of development, offering printers the technology to provide higher quality to their customers.
Like all other models in the :Xcalibur VLF and Xcalibur 45 lines, the Elites are high-definition CtP (HD-CtP(tm)) systems. Both use the Grating Light Valve(tm) (GLV(tm)) imaging system developed by Silicon Light Machines(tm). The GLV provides the high level of accuracy necessary for advanced screening in the most demanding applications.
Sublima renders very fine details on regular stock at moderate imaging resolutions. It achieves contone reproduction for highly dynamic images. Sublima delivers 1 to 99 percent dots on the plate and the printed sheet. In the mid-tones, Sublima uses ABS, Agfa's popular AM screening solution. Then it automatically responds to the highlights and shadows by smoothly transitioning to Agfa's patented FM-screening technique. As a result, Sublima consistently maintains the full 1 to 99 percent tonal range throughout the print run.
CristalRaster is Agfa's stochastic screening technology for true photographic-quality colour reproduction. With CristalRaster stochastic screening, all halftone dots have the same very small size, but their frequency varies according to the tone value to be reproduced, and their spatial distribution is carefully randomised.
The Elite versions of the Xcalibur 45 and the Xcalibur VLF will be available in Q4 of 2003.
