Creo launches new addition to Lotem CTP

Industry pacesetter Creo continues to drive ahead with the launch at Graph Expo in Chicago of a new platform for the market-leading Lotem 800 line of 8-page platesetters. The enhanced platform offers improved functionality and the ability to upgrade to advanced imaging and process control.

The new Lotem 800 II platesetter offers more speed options to allow printers to match throughput to their production needs. Thermal halftone proofing is now also available as an option. By using the same digital files containing the exact screening and halftone dot structure to image proofs as well as the plates, the resulting proof represents exactly what will be printed.

The new Lotem 800 II platesetter can also be upgraded with the ‘Quantum set’ of features to become Creo’s flagship computer-to-plate (CTP) system, the Lotem™ 800 Quantum platesetter. This state-of-the-art platesetter offers high performance features including the SQUAREspot imaging head for predictable and consistent imaging, advanced process control, Staccato screening, and automatic temperaturecompensation. The ‘Lotem II’ platform is being introduced as Creo achieves a new milestone with the installation of the 1000th Lotem 800 CTP system.

“We are very pleased to become the 1,000th installation of the Lotem 800 line of platesetters,” says Paul Taylor, Director, R&D for Seiple Lithograph Company of North Canton, Ohio. Seiple Lithograph recently installed the Lotem 800 Quantum platesetter.

“We were one of the first Lotem platesetter beta testers and the knowledge we gained helped move us well ahead of our competition. With our new Lotem 800 Quantum with SQUAREspot thermal imaging and Staccato FM screening, we will rocket into the future with the best technology available. This system will allow us to continue to deliver a superior product.”

Imaging Chemical-Free Plates

Creo is imaging chemical-free plates live on the Trendsetter 800 Quantum and Lotem 400 Quantum platesetters at Graph Expo. The chemical-free option eliminates the need for a plate processor, pre-bake oven, or storage of toxic processing chemicals.

It benefits printers with small to medium-length print runs and physical space restrictions. They save on the capital cost of a plate processor, and the ongoing costs associated with chemicals, cleaning materials and technical resources essential to maintaining this type of equipment.

The option of imaging chemical-free plates is available on the 4- and 8-page models of the Trendsetter and Trendsetter Quantum thermal platesetters. This feature is added to the base functionality of imaging traditional anodized aluminum printing plates from multiple vendors. The chemical-free option is also available as an upgrade to existing qualified systems.