Star product: Luscher XDrum! UV

What does it do?

The XDrum! UV is a B1, external drum UV platesetter, capable of imaging plates of up to 930x1,060mm. It images conventional plates using UV lasers and customers can choose between 16 and 36 lasers to achieve the desired speed. Built-in punching ensures accurate registration on the press.

Users can select whether they want manual, semi-automatic or automatic plate production and the inline plate processor means that the XDrum! can automatically turn the plate, eliminating the need for a wide processor.

When was it launched and who is it targeted at?
The XDrum! UV was launched at Drupa and attracted a lot of interest from visitors, according to Lüscher UK sales manager Colin Price. The device is primarily aimed at medium-format offset printers who are typically producing at least 10,000sqm to 15,000sqm of plates every year for high-quality applications.

What is its USP?
XDrum! UV is a CTP for conventional plates only, which Price says offers three main advantages: "Printers using a lot of plates can save by using conventional plates instead of thermal ones, with no compromise on quality; make-ready times are reduced as conventional plates ink-up quicker and run with less water, and therefore ink, reducing waste and boosting stability during the print run; negative conventional plates, such as Agfa’s Aluva N, are UV ink resistant without baking and therefore extremely hard wearing."

How fast is it?
Depending on the number of lasers specified by the customer, the eight-up XDrum! UV can offer productivity levels of up to 26 B1 plates per hour (pph) or 32pph for B2.

How easy is it to use?
"Extremely easy," says Price. The machine comes with a PC server that links it to the customer’s existing workflow and incorporates a job queue. Price adds that plate remakes can be easily produced directly from the platesetter.

What training and support service is offered?
UK-based engineers from Lüscher will integrate the XDrum! UV into any workflow for the customer and are on hand for maintenance according to varying levels of service contract, including preventative maintenance schedules. All machines come with a remote diagnostics package.

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