Agfa’s New :Empower CTP Solutions
Agfa is taking the opportunity of PacPrint 05 to launch its new: Empower CTP system solution. Combining a platesetter and plates with on-line processor, :ApogeeX workflow management and proofing software, :Sublima screening, installation, training and a service agreement, :Empower provides a complete turnkey solution.
Three versions are currently available with each solution (chemical-free, thermal, and violet) responding to different user requirements by offering a choice of platesetters and processors.
"The turnkey approach allows us (Agfa) to exactly match a CTP solution to a specific customer requirement" said Garry Muratore, Agfa Regional Marketing Manager. (pictured) "Competitive systems tend to take a shoe-horn approach i.e. take one technology and claim it satisfies all applications. The :Empower solution embodies a fundamental Agfa claim, which is we offer choice. No one technology can satisfy all print applications, hence :Empower's support for chemical-free, thermal or violet imaging"
:Empower V – Violet solutions
Depending on plate size requirements, the :Empower V solution includes either a :Palladio or :Galileo 410nm violet laser imaging device. The :Empower V70 system includes a :Palladio platesetter, ideal for 4-up (B2) plates (70 x 50 cm). The fully automated flatbed platesetter offers fast turnaround times and can output a full-format plate every three minutes. For larger 8-up format plates (100 x 70 cm), the :Empower V100 model includes a :Galileo VE internal drum imager.
Both systems use :Lithostar Ultra LAP V violet-sensitive aluminum plates, providing resolutions from 1-99 percent at 200 lpi, improved latitude in exposure and on press, and offering the best quality-to-cost ratio for printers with press runs to 350,000. The V70 system includes a :Lithostar LP68 online processor. The larger format V100 uses the :Lithostar LP85 for processing.
:Empower T – Thermal solutions
For printers who produce a wide variety of projects with varying quality levels and run lengths, the :Empower T thermal solution combines either the :Acento E or :Xcalibur 45LE CTP system.
The small-format, 16-channel :Acento E platesetter images plates from 32 x
37cm to 66 x 83cm, with production speeds up to 10 plates per hour. The :Xcalibur 45LE provides high-speed thermal imaging for 116 x 82cm plates.
Both models use Thermostar thermal plates, designed for long runs (150,000 impressions without baking), high-quality imaging (1-99 percent resolution at 200 lpi) without pre-heating or special handling. Optional post-baking enables run lengths over one million and daylight handling and standard processing chemistry makes them easy-to-use. Online processors (:Autolith LDT 85 for the T70 and :Elantrix 125S for the T100) are available as an option in the :Empower T solution.
<.b>:Empower C - Chemistry-free solutions
The :Empower C solution is based on Agfa’s chemistry-free :Azura plate and is ideal for printers requiring run lengths under 100,000 but who also want high quality and an easy, chemical-free workflow.
Two models are available. The :Empower C70 uses either an :Acento E or high-speed (20 plates per hour) :Acento S external drum thermal platesetter
– suitable for 83 x 66cm plates. The :Empower C100 includes an :Xcalibur
45E GLV (grating light valve) imaging device with :Platemanager, for 116 x
82cm plates.
The plates are processed in the special :Azura gum-based cleaning unit (C85 for use with the :Acento platesetter or C120 with the :Xcalibur 45E system).
:Empower Configurations
All :Empower systems include :Sublima XM (cross modulated) screening technology and :ApogeeX Prime workflow automation software which comes with a predefined PC-platform and includes PDF creation, pre-flight, imposition, proofing and trapping. Completing the turnkey :Empower solution, Agfa also includes installation, training and maintenance.
An extended service plan is also available. It includes workflow support for :ApogeeX, a CtP service maintenance agreement and an extended warranty contract for the engine and processor.
Visitors to Agfa’s stand (#304) at PacPrint can see the :Azura-plate-based
:Empower ‘C’ chemical-free option configured with the :Xcalibur 45E, :Empower ‘T’ thermal solution with an :Acento platesetter, and the :Empower ‘V’ violet system with a :Palladio device.
Three versions are currently available with each solution (chemical-free, thermal, and violet) responding to different user requirements by offering a choice of platesetters and processors. 
Depending on plate size requirements, the :Empower V solution includes either a :Palladio or :Galileo 410nm violet laser imaging device. The :Empower V70 system includes a :Palladio platesetter, ideal for 4-up (B2) plates (70 x 50 cm). The fully automated flatbed platesetter offers fast turnaround times and can output a full-format plate every three minutes. For larger 8-up format plates (100 x 70 cm), the :Empower V100 model includes a :Galileo VE internal drum imager.
For printers who produce a wide variety of projects with varying quality levels and run lengths, the :Empower T thermal solution combines either the :Acento E or :Xcalibur 45LE CTP system.
The :Empower C solution is based on Agfa’s chemistry-free :Azura plate and is ideal for printers requiring run lengths under 100,000 but who also want high quality and an easy, chemical-free workflow.