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.
SPECIFICATIONS
Speed Up to 32pph depending on plate size and number of lasers
Max plate size 930x1,060mm
Plate thickness 0.15–0.35mm
Standard resolution 2,400-5,080dpi
Price Manual and semi-automatic machines start from £89,000 and automatics from £119,000 depending on the number of lasers required. An additional £3,000 is payable per punch type
Contact Lüscher 07786021715 www.luescher.com
ALTERNATIVES
Agfa Avalon N8-60S
The Avalon N8 engine can be configured
for manual plate loading or formatted for single- or multi-cassette automation, all with inline processing. Various thermal plate media can be used, including the chemistry free plates. The digital thermal plates are specifically designed for demanding applications in the commercial and packaging markets. These plates are daylight resistant which facilitates the plate handling.
Speed 3pph
Max plate size 950x1,165mm
Plate thickness 0.15-0.3mm
Standard resolution 2,400dpi
Cost Price on application
Contact Agfa UK 020 8231 4983 www.agfa.com/uk
BasysPrint UV-Setter 860x
BasysPrint UV-Setter 860x is suitable for commercial, packaging and book printing. The modular set-up of the 860x enables customers to reconfigure the machine to adapt to their changing needs. Over 60 plates from 15 suppliers have been approved for use with the UV-Setter range, offering flexibility for printers using UV-sensitive offset plates.
Speed Up to 45pph
Max plate size 940x1,150mm
Plate thickness 0.15-0.40mm
Standard resolution 2,400dpi
Cost £128,000
Contact BasysPrint +31 6 143 40 500 www.basysprint.com
Fujifilm Luxel V-8 HS Platesetter
The Fujifilm Luxel V-8 range of violet platesetters is available with single or twin laser arrangement depending on productivity needs and has manual and semi-automatic models as well as fully automatic configurations with single- or multi-cassette autoloaders and online processors. The Luxel V-8 platesetter will image both regular violet plates and the latest environmentally friendly ‘low-chemistry’ plates, such as Fujifilm’s Brillia HD Pro-V.
Speed Up to 50pph
Max plate size 960x1,162mm
Plate thickness 0.15-0.30mm
Standard resolution 1,200-2,540dpi
Cost From £82,000
Contact Fujifilm UK 01234 245245 www.graphics.fujifilm.co.uk
