Fuji has launched a B2 version of its multi-laser imagesetter which can produce up to 67 films per hour.


The Luxel F-6000, which is based on the same technology used in its bigger brother, the B1 Luxel F-9000, is available in one-, two- or three-laser versions.


Although its B2 format is intended for commercial print applications, Fuji claimed its speed had attract-ed a lot of interest from newspaper printers.


Despite the widespread adoption of CTP, the firm still sees a market for the F-6000, especially overseas.


It also claimed its sales staff had found it was the B2 sector of the market that had the budget to invest.


The Luxel P-6000 starts at 53,000, including film processor and RIP for a single-laser version capable of producing 30 films an hour at 2,400dpi.


A dual-laser version is capable of outputting 51 films an hour, while the three-laser version produces 67 films an hour, all at 2,400dpi.


* Fuji has introduced a new plate development chemistry for use with its Brillia LH-PI thermal plates, which allows them to be processed in other firms plate processors.


Fuji claims that the new chemistrys low re-plen-ish-ment rates and cost per litre saved up to 90% over rivals.


The FCT-E12 developer and FCT-E13 replenisher are approved by Fuji to work with the Kodak Polychrome Graphics Mer-cury V processor.


The company is in the process of approving it for IGP processors and is also investigating other plate processors.


Story by Barney Cox