VIM Technologies, an Israeli start-up founded by ex-Scitex engineer Avigdor Bieber (pictured), has launched its chemical-free VimDi-R plate aimed at all two-up DI presses and capable of running up to 30,000 impressions.

It is also hoping to make a mark on the CTP market, with the launch of a processless platesetter by 2007 and waterless plates next year.

The ablative VimDi-R plates feature three layers: a scratch-resistant silicon top, a highly reactive middle layer and a polyester base layer.
Alon Avnon, a consultant establishing sales channels in the UK, said the sensitivity of the middle layer allowed laser diode life up to 25% longer than competitors.

Bieber, the engineer behind the Dolev and Raystar imagesetters who also worked on Scitex's DI project which resulted in KBA's 74 Karat press, founded VIM in 2001.

He said: "We come to the market with another product that is better quality and gives users better profitability. Its amazing to see their reaction."

Around 25 printers in the UK are already using the VimDi-R plates, including Biltmore Printers in the Isle of Wight and London-based firms Orange Advertising and Kingsland Colour.

Ian Greatorex, managing director at Covent Garden firm Orange Advertising, said that the plates' scratch resistance was its major benefit, "especially when heavy post-imaging cleaning is involved."

"This obviously saves us time and material as it prevents second and third imaging of the same job," he said.

VIM Technologies' plates are manufactured by strategic partner Hanita Coating, which is based in the same town as VIM and produces plastic substrates for the packaging industry.

VIMDI-R PLATES
- Max run length: 30,000

- Chemical free

- 0.18mm thick

- Thermal CTP

- 800-1100nm laser

Four-roll box cost
- Heidelberg Quickmaster DI: 700

- KBA 46 Karat, Ryobi 3404 DI: 620