Heights, which is a contractual OEM partner to both Fujifilm and Kodak, will unveil the Inca 85T at the US trade show, which takes place from 11-14 September.

The processor, which has a list price of £9,800, has a rated output of 500sqm/week and sits between the entry-level, 350sqm/week, Maya (£8,800) and the heavy-duty, "unlimited throughput", Bora (£13,000) in Heights' product portfolio.

Mike Millea, international sales manager at Heights Group, said that the manufacturer was planning a thermal market push following the launch of the Inca, which is its first medium- to heavy-duty thermal plate processor.

"We primarily have more violet installs in the UK, partly because of our OEM relationships, and less of our thermal products and that's something we want to address," added Millea.

"We have 200-300 violet installs in the UK based on the same platform. Ironically, we have much greater success [in thermal] outside this country than in it, but we'll be knocking on the door of the big thermal CTP manufacturers now."

He added that the Inca 85T is ideally suited to online plate processing due to its 850mm width, which is one of the most popular sizes of thermal CTP output devices.

The Inca 85T shares 90% of its components with the comparable Inca violet processor, enabling engineers to gain a greater understanding of the processors they service and allowing distributors to stock fewer spare parts.

Heights said that the Inca thermal plate processor featured a simpler and more cost-effective cabinet, with lift-off side panels for easier service and maintenance, and the same proven drive plate technology as the Inca violet.

For more information on Heights Group's range of plate processors, see www.heights.com.