drupa Preview: Screen Media Technology
Screen to launch a new digital press and three new CtP systems
At drupa 2004 the 1100m2 Screen stand is the largest demonstration area the company has ever taken at this event and is testimony to its continued success and growth worldwide. Once renowned for scanning and ancillary equipment Screen has managed to transform its business to keep pace with challenging and changing industry trends. At drupa 2004 the company will introduce a new digital offset press, three new computer to plate systems and present a powerful and fully-JDF-enabled workflow modules within its advanced Trueflownet environment.
Screen`s stylish and open stand will feature colour coded technology demonstration zones to help visitors identify specific areas of interest: scanning and colour management technologies; the traditional Katana and Tanto imagesetters; a complete range of CtP products (from the new 2-page PlateRite Micra and 16-page VLF to the latest 32-page multi-format PlateRite Ultima); and the new digital offset press TruePress 344 which demonstrates the very latest in processless plate technologies and advanced automation.
The PlateRite Micra has selectable resolutions of 1,200 dpi or 2,400 dpi and handles plates ranging in size from 250 mm x 330 mm (9.8`` x 13.0``) up to a maximum of 516 mm x 580 mm (20.3`` x 22.8``) at an impressive 23 plates per hour. Users can choose a manual loading model or a fully automatic configuration with an inline 50-plate autoloader that includes automatic interleaf paper removal. With inline processor and a choice of internal press punches the PlateRite Micra is a high quality production platesetter providing the equivalent quality and performance of the renowned PlateRite B2 and B1 ranges.
The PlateRite Ultima 16000 is a multi-format system capable of handling plates ranging from four-page, 650 x 550 mm (25.6`` x 21.6``) up to the largest 16-page, 1,470 x 1,165 mm (57.9`` x 45.9``), ideal for those printers with multi-format 4, 8 and 16-page presses. The most productive platesetter in its league, the PlateRite Ultima 16000 can image 23 plates* an hour at a size of 1,448 x 1,143mm (57`` x 45``).
Recognising that a high level of automation is a key factor in maximising CtP production and users` profitability, Screen offers a range of scalable automated options. With inline punching included the PlateRite Ultima 16000 can be configured with various plate handling solutions allowing users to choose a system to suit their specific production requirements. The standard semi-automatic PlateRite 16000 system features an inline pre-load plate delivery table that enables the next plate to be punched and ready to be loaded whilst a plate is being imaged. After imaging, each plate is automatically unloaded and passed to the online processor.
For those requiring automatic and high-capacity plate loading, the PlateRite 16000 features an optional dual-cassette plate autoloader with interleaf paper removal as standard. Each cassette can hold up to 100 plates and, if they wish, users can choose to integrate two dual-cassette systems to provide an impressive 400 plates online to the platesetter. The PlateRite Ultima 16000 will be demonstrated for the first time worldwide at drupa 2004 and deliveries to customers will start from September 2004.
The new PlateRite Ultima 32000Z heads up the Screen PlateRite range of 4, 8, 16, 24 & 32-page thermal CtP systems and has been developed to provide turbo-powered plate production.
The new device allows output on a range of plate sizes from B2 up to the largest 32-page plates, minimum 650 x 550mm (25.6`` x 21.6``), up to a maximum of 2,124 x 1,276 mm (83.6`` x 50.2``), with imaging resolutions of 1,200, 2,400, 2,438 or 2,540 dpi. The dual imaging architecture ensures maximum flexibility and productivity ideally suited to those printers with large format and multiple-format 4 and 8-page presses.
Randot X is particularly suited to printers with strict environmental control. Printing in 10μand 15μdot sizes can enable superb print quality, but controlled environment conditions are essential. Screen expects SPEKTA screening will still remain the first choice for most users for its ability to provide high quality reproduction while being tolerant to a wider gamut of environmental conditions and giving the press operator more latitude of control. Randot X will be incorporated in the SPEKTA screening package to enable users of Screen thermal platesetters to select from a broad range of screening options, and have the freedom to select the specific screening application that fits with their environmental conditions and quality standards.
The central area of the Screen stand is dedicated to JDF. In a 40-seat forum, industry leaders such as Adobe and Enfocus, plus consultants such as Menno Mooij and Laurel Brunner, will give highly informative and educational presentations on a range of JDF topics. In these interactive sessions in English and German visitors will learn about and discuss the benefits of JDF and the opportunities it can bring to businesses.
In five lounge `pods` encircling the presentation forum visitors can sit in privacy and comfort to receive demonstrations on the wide range of JDF-based applications now available with Trueflownet, Screen`s innovative JDF-enabled workflow environment. These include the latest version of Trueflow, Screen`s award-winning PDF workflow, with enhanced JDF capability. In addition, the newly-launched Ritecontrol a JDF based production manager, Riteportal PDF delivery system and Riteonline a web browser enabled document ordering software will be demonstrated for the first time. There will be a range of workflow-based applications launched that will provide automation and efficiency to the workflow. Ritetransfer offers intelligent job transfer direct from the desktop for printer`s customers and Riteapprove enables the users to proof and approve jobs online.
Trueflow, Screen`s established PDF/PostScript workflow, is the core of Trueflownet and at drupa the company launches the latest version of this popular system. Trueflow, featuring file checking, OPI, trapping and imposition, is designed both to drive optimised CtP production and digital printing presses, and to create an advanced automated and streamlined network workflow solution. Trueflow 3.0 is a major upgrade and a fully JDF-compliant PDF 1.4/1.5 workflow which enables existing users to move easily from a PDF and PostScript workflow into a JDF-based environment and achieve seamless communication with Management Information Systems (MIS), Prepress, Press, and Postpress operations.
Trueflow 3.0, featuring JDF-based job tickets, enables two-way communication in a JDF environment, and allows direct connectivity with MIS systems. Moreover, a JDF plug-in format application features scalability to support a wide range of JDF-based file formats and maximise interoperability with other JDF-enabled technologies.
A new `job-flow` based graphical user interface (GUI) features intuitive on-screen menus (with multi-lingual support) and navigation with on-line help and `smart` troubleshooting. Within Trueflow, operators will now be able to access multiple applications simultaneously for ease of operation.
The impressive `Polished PDF IN` feature provides dual functionality and incorporates the latest Enfocus Library. Incoming files are checked and formatted into PDF or PDF/X-1a, ensuring trouble free transfer and processing in the workflow.
Demonstrations of leading MIS vendors` JDF-based solutions integrated to Trueflownet will be shown on the stand, and visitors can learn more about the integration and automation benefits of file transfer under the JDF environment. Industry-renowned Adobe® will occupy one of the pods throughout the show, giving individual or group demonstrations to visitors on their extensive suite of new and existing products. In association with other vendors, Screen will also demonstrate its JDF workflow Trueflow 3.0 and all the new production applications in the CIP4 JDF Café in Hall 4.
The TruePress 344, an automated, four-colour A3+ digital offset press is designed as a professional production machine that provides a high return on investment very quickly. With a maximum printing speed of 7,000 A3+ sheets per hour the four-colour TruePress 344 press will produce a 500 sheet single-sided job from start to finish in less than 15 minutes. A make-ready time of only 5 minutes is achieved by using a unique combination of the latest high-speed 830nm MALD (multi array laser diode) imaging with a new processless plate technology from a leading manufacturer.
