Avalon 1st in new line of thermal platesetters from Agfa
Agfa claims the new platesetter secures improvements in functionality, reliability and convenience, the result of ongoing research and development by the company with a major focus on maximising uptime. The unit’s new HD imaging head features improved laser technology for accurate, consistent and stable imaging, while the new calibration algorithms allow for smoother images and user-friendly remote diagnostics capabilities.
The HD Imaging Head has also been optimised for Agfa’s industry-leading chemistry-free plate, Azura, and the advanced cross-modulated screening technology, Sublima.
Garry Muratore, regional marketing manager for Agfa (pictured), said the new Avalon platesetter builds on the established Australian & New Zealand success of Azura, 
which was launched in May at Pacprint05. Worldwide installations of Azura are now close to 300. “The new Avalon HD imaging head is light-years ahead of existing imaging systems. Here is a system with the future in mind, if that future is processless, then Avalon will be the imager of choice.”
Jack Wolber, marketing manager for Avalon systems CTP worldwide, insists the new product represents more than just an advancement of the platesetter. “We have upgraded everything about the product, from the way we manufacture the systems to the addition of remote diagnostic tools.”
“Additionally, there is a new process for custom configuring every customer order, new configuring tools, a faster installation process, improved service tracking tools, and more,” says Wolber. “We looked at everything.”
The unit is optimised to work smoothly with Agfa’s chemistry-free plate, Azura, as well as the cross-modulated screening technology Sublima. The Avalon will be offered in both VLF and LF 45-inch models, and while the new line will replace Xcalibur platesetters, Agfa has confirmed its continued support of existing systems in the field.
The Avalon combines the HD imaging head with an external drum architecture to deliver a speedy writing speed at a low drum rotational speed, to simplify operation and ensuring reliability in the long term. In addition to the new imaging head the Avalon boasts a number of other improvements, including a new operator dashboard that boosts feedback and displays plate data, as well as the ‘machine matching’ feature that allows plates to be produced on different platesetters with identical results.
Agfa confirms it will continue to fully support all the Xcalibur machines in the market.
Avalon is scheduled to begin shipping in Australia and New Zealand during October, with Muratore reporting the company expects installations from October onwards.
which was launched in May at Pacprint05. Worldwide installations of Azura are now close to 300. “The new Avalon HD imaging head is light-years ahead of existing imaging systems. Here is a system with the future in mind, if that future is processless, then Avalon will be the imager of choice.”
The Avalon combines the HD imaging head with an external drum architecture to deliver a speedy writing speed at a low drum rotational speed, to simplify operation and ensuring reliability in the long term. In addition to the new imaging head the Avalon boasts a number of other improvements, including a new operator dashboard that boosts feedback and displays plate data, as well as the ‘machine matching’ feature that allows plates to be produced on different platesetters with identical results.