At present, the total number of CTPs in use in the world has exceeded 6,000 units, mainly in Europe, the United States, Japan and other countries. There are still less than 100 units in China, but Japan has exceeded 600 units. The popularity of CTP has reached about 10% of the total number of laser imagesetters in Japan. It is expected that future CTPs of the open type and A3 specifications will increase. However, CTP is ultimately a technology of this kind of crossing. Finally, the DI opportunity for on-board imaging becomes the mainstream. It is expected that by 2007, more than half of the new machines for offset presses will be DI machines. The generally required equipment prices and plate prices have also been reduced due to competition. After JGAS2001, although the market has declined in the CTP sector, printing companies will continue to introduce CTP.
From the perspective of the development of CT technology, it is clear that the transition from visible to ultraviolet lasers, high-speed, automated, non-printing, and diversified version specifications of equipment, but should not be satisfied with these, but also consider RIP, Elements such as digital proofing, plus the interrelationships of CIP4 and color management, and workflow management using the Internet.
UV CTP
The UV CTP that had previously attracted attention on DRUPA2000, also recognized by PRINT01, JGAS01, the largest one Creo and Heidlberg company did not exhibit UV CTP on DRUPA2000, but Agfa put all the energy on UV, because in visible light The laser (photosensitive polymer type) on the heat-sensitive CTP is negative to the heat-sensitive one and vice versa. Therefore, when the existing visible light laser CTP replacement work ends, the introduction of ultraviolet light is likely to decline.
Compared with the thermal CTP, the UV CTP is easy to fabricate in the inner drum and is easy to complete. In addition, imaging units such as lasers are also inexpensive, and the motors of the inner rollers can also be miniaturized, the cost is also low, and the amount of generated heat is less than that of the thermal sensors, and there is less problem of plate expansion due to temperature change, and the workability is less. The yellow security light is also no problem. The biggest problem is the CTP version of the photosensitive material. In fact, only the Agfa family now has a shortage.
Hdidelberg published the Prosetter for UV CTP on PRINT01 with a laser wavelength of 405 nm and a power arm of 5 mw. This is a modification of the Primestetter (CTF) published on DRUPA2000 for CTP. The Prosetter102 is a 32 x 42-inch souvenir sheet, 12-hour edition, and the price is 132,000 US dollars, which is relatively cheap. The Prosetter 72 is 26 x 30 inches (on the side), 16 hours on the 1 hour, and costs $81,000. Prosetter52 is King 26×15 inch, 1 hour and 20 editions, and the price is 62,000 US dollars. They are produced in batch with Heidelberg's press specifications. In addition, Top Setter, which accepts imaging heads manufactured by Dainippon Screen, added a new 64-channel model.
The Palladio of Agfa's UV minicomputer is a modification of the FlatRite 1050 manufactured by Dainippon Screen, which has a resolution of 2400dPi and can output 20 versions in one hour.
The future of CTP The trend of CTP, in addition to the above-mentioned trends toward UV lasers, there are output speeds, expansion of response specifications, improvement of resistance to printing forces, automatic processing, and levitation and high-resolution color printing. Many aspects.
All of the trademarks have been integrated into Creo's original CreoScitex since the beginning of this year. This is because Creo's Trendsetter has an absolute market share, and Squre Spot thermal imaging technology loaded on Lotem is able to acquire differentiated technology. This is a matter of course. The company’s top person in charge believes that the on-board imaging DI technology being converted is the only thermal technology that has contributed to the success of CTP. Creo's batch production of the sophomore's Lotem800 Quantum (1 hour 25 version thermal, the highest speed) and the small off-site Lotem400 Quantum can be automated or semi-automatic. In addition, it also sells the Spectrum of CTP/DDCP based on Trendsetter and Lotem, and uses the photosensitive materials of Imation and KPG for productivity. Luxe 19600 produced by Richland Photo Film Company is a photosensitive resin CTP. Thanks to the advanced inner three-beam method, B1 size 27 can be output in one hour, enabling very high-speed processing. Agfa is based on ultraviolet light, and Fujifilm is dealing with heat-sensitive, photosensitive resins, and ultraviolet light. Kodak's main manufacturers of photosensitive materials are aimed at thermography and adopt strategies to adapt to market trends.
Dainippon Netman Manufacturing Co. doubled the PrateRite 8600's laser channel to 64, and output 20 blocks at 2400dpi in 1 hour for the Souvenir Sheet, which greatly improved ergonomics, and the batch production also went from A3 to Souvenir Sheets. Have. The platform CTP FlatRite 1050 for visible light laser and UV laser is one hour and 14th version, and all companies are following it.
After the company provided technology to Heldelberg's TopSetter, it produced the PlateRite 8600 according to the Fuji Photo Film brand and supplied it under the Luxe 19000. The FratRite 1050 was produced under the Agfa brand. It can be understood that it adopts the expansion strategy of hardware manufacturing volume. The main force of the imaging unit in the future will come from Creo's layout environment for Dainippon Screen. The decline in equipment prices, like the home appliance industry, has opened up the production system for the development of manufacturers.
The UVSetter produced by Germany's Basys Corporation is a concept of CTCP (Computer to conventional Plate). It can be displayed by the Toyo Ink Co., Ltd. in the JGAS2000 at the time of the usual PS version and coefficient code exposure. This UVSetter uses a DLP element developed by Texus Instrument to form an image by reflecting UV light from a mercury lamp with ON/OFF reflection in a fine square hole. This is also due to the very clear edge of the dot, even though it is 1800dpi, the dot reproducibility of the 175 line is also very good.
The CTP plate requires some supplements. The indispensable printing plate for UV CTP was originally Lithostar Ultra-V of Agfa, so Agfa has an advantage in the UV market. However, at PRINT01, Mitsubishi Paper promoted the aluminum-based Silver Digiplate AlphaV. Although Fujifilm has not yet named it, it plans to sell 60mJ/cm2 in the United States this year. Because it is a high-sensitivity photosensitive resin, the price is better than Agfa-based Agfa and Mitsubishi Paper, and it is also good for printing knife, and there are few problems with pasting. Mitsubishi Chemical also exhibited LV-I, a high-sensitivity resin, which was soon put on the market.
KPG published a new product called Sword, the European version of the hot European version. It is completely compatible with light, no preheating, no baking, and a printing force of over 400,000 sheets. This also suits UV/EB inks. It also published Thermal Gold, which has been recognized as the 830. Mitsubishi Chemical's thermal plate LT-2 does not require preheating or roasting, so it can obtain dot reproducibility from 0.5% to 99.5%. Fujifilm took a trial of a thermal plate without a platemaking project, and it was difficult to see the defects of the image part without ink. The so-called unscreened project is a controlled scouring technique. With the help of exposure, the film is not lost, but it floats. When printing, it is transferred to a number of sheets to add paper, and the layout becomes very clean. Fujifilm intends to apply this technology to the DI technology provided on the plate for on-board imaging. Agfa also produced Mistral, a thermal-free plateless project. In addition, the Thermo Lite for DI is also an unprinted project that does not generate impurities and is suitable for DI technology on-board imaging.
Workflows The usual prepress project has long been a digital prepress project. The core of CTP's workflow is Adobe's Extreme or Level 3 CPSI RIP. Although similar to each other, the digital workflow is not simply the output of overprinting, pagination, finishing, etc., but the future CIP 4 Differences have emerged with regard to the expansion of extension management. Moreover, the tendency to use the added-value RIP synthesis system 4 is strong, but the machines that work independently have begun to appear in the direction of software being combined in an open manner.
For example, Heidelberg's meta Dimension, whose internal format is PDF, and workflow management is based on JDF, with an additional value of RIP, it is stated that it is easily introduced by small and medium-sized printing companies and consists of possible modular systems for expansion. of. It is developed for small and medium-sized printing companies that can use ProSetter, which is relatively inexpensive. In contrast, Prinergy is positioned as a large-scale coherent system. In addition, Heidelberg's JDF uses Prinect's thinking to rely on production management systems and database connectivity.
The JDF is being recognized as a standard format, and this JDF is the job ticket advocated by the CPF3's PPF and Adobe that is unified on an XML basis. Any manufacturer who operates a digital workflow has expressed support for JDF. This is not only a prepress project but also a printer and a postpress printer.
Dainippon Screen's TrueFlow 2.0 also provides JDF support clothing. Komori's press makers and postpress machines also show JDF support services, but the reality is to look at CJP3's Print Probuction Format (PPF). Exercise content. Whether JDF is really making good use of the management of automated production systems and linkages with data from different industries is being developed in the future. However, Adobe, which had previously been highly respected by JDF, is aiming at PDF workflows rather than printing, but with the help of XML. The foundation is linked to electronic transactions and the company's basic database. In addition, the formats and manufacturers and groups related to this vary according to their respective purposes.
Japan will formally decide PDF-X as an ISO standard within this year. The United States Digital Advertising Distribution Association (DDAP) has adopted TIFF/IT as the standard electronic delivery format, but as the next format, it is proposed to be converted to PDF-X. This is because considering the key CT images of TIFF/IF, in the uncompressed case, there are too many file specifications, and after PDF-X is processed by RIP, the scan lines of CT and LW become compressed by JPEG, etc. PDF output as a reliable, easy to transmit on the Internet.
In the aspect of workflow, another feature is the user-configurable pipeline processing interface. It has acquired Harpolquin's Grobal Graphics with Max Work Flow, Artwork Systems' NEXUS, etc., and Adobe's Extreme as its core product. In addition to the aforementioned Heidelberg, Dainippon Screen, Fujifilm's Celebra IVT Extreme Ver. 5 can support transparent program elements and facilitate the use of decentralized structure formats. In addition, Enfocus Certfied PDF has attracted attention, but after PRINT01, Fujifilm decided to adopt it, and Heidelberg's meta Dimension also provided most of the OEM's programs. Most of the major Adobe Extreme sales companies provide Enfocous Pitstop or generic programs as OEMs.
Concluding remarks PDFs have been popular in Europe and the United States. Japan has just begun. It is generally started from the construction of the CTP system and its workflow, from the use of the PS to the PDF recipients, the finalization of the 1bit TIFF and in line with the trend of the future to carry out, it is expected that the CTP is to improve quality and productivity, or reduce costs, but In order to improve operational efficiency and shorten delivery deadlines, it goes without saying that the workflow before and after the job must be optimized.
From the perspective of the development of CT technology, it is clear that the transition from visible to ultraviolet lasers, high-speed, automated, non-printing, and diversified version specifications of equipment, but should not be satisfied with these, but also consider RIP, Elements such as digital proofing, plus the interrelationships of CIP4 and color management, and workflow management using the Internet.
UV CTP
The UV CTP that had previously attracted attention on DRUPA2000, also recognized by PRINT01, JGAS01, the largest one Creo and Heidlberg company did not exhibit UV CTP on DRUPA2000, but Agfa put all the energy on UV, because in visible light The laser (photosensitive polymer type) on the heat-sensitive CTP is negative to the heat-sensitive one and vice versa. Therefore, when the existing visible light laser CTP replacement work ends, the introduction of ultraviolet light is likely to decline.
Compared with the thermal CTP, the UV CTP is easy to fabricate in the inner drum and is easy to complete. In addition, imaging units such as lasers are also inexpensive, and the motors of the inner rollers can also be miniaturized, the cost is also low, and the amount of generated heat is less than that of the thermal sensors, and there is less problem of plate expansion due to temperature change, and the workability is less. The yellow security light is also no problem. The biggest problem is the CTP version of the photosensitive material. In fact, only the Agfa family now has a shortage.
Hdidelberg published the Prosetter for UV CTP on PRINT01 with a laser wavelength of 405 nm and a power arm of 5 mw. This is a modification of the Primestetter (CTF) published on DRUPA2000 for CTP. The Prosetter102 is a 32 x 42-inch souvenir sheet, 12-hour edition, and the price is 132,000 US dollars, which is relatively cheap. The Prosetter 72 is 26 x 30 inches (on the side), 16 hours on the 1 hour, and costs $81,000. Prosetter52 is King 26×15 inch, 1 hour and 20 editions, and the price is 62,000 US dollars. They are produced in batch with Heidelberg's press specifications. In addition, Top Setter, which accepts imaging heads manufactured by Dainippon Screen, added a new 64-channel model.
The Palladio of Agfa's UV minicomputer is a modification of the FlatRite 1050 manufactured by Dainippon Screen, which has a resolution of 2400dPi and can output 20 versions in one hour.
The future of CTP The trend of CTP, in addition to the above-mentioned trends toward UV lasers, there are output speeds, expansion of response specifications, improvement of resistance to printing forces, automatic processing, and levitation and high-resolution color printing. Many aspects.
All of the trademarks have been integrated into Creo's original CreoScitex since the beginning of this year. This is because Creo's Trendsetter has an absolute market share, and Squre Spot thermal imaging technology loaded on Lotem is able to acquire differentiated technology. This is a matter of course. The company’s top person in charge believes that the on-board imaging DI technology being converted is the only thermal technology that has contributed to the success of CTP. Creo's batch production of the sophomore's Lotem800 Quantum (1 hour 25 version thermal, the highest speed) and the small off-site Lotem400 Quantum can be automated or semi-automatic. In addition, it also sells the Spectrum of CTP/DDCP based on Trendsetter and Lotem, and uses the photosensitive materials of Imation and KPG for productivity. Luxe 19600 produced by Richland Photo Film Company is a photosensitive resin CTP. Thanks to the advanced inner three-beam method, B1 size 27 can be output in one hour, enabling very high-speed processing. Agfa is based on ultraviolet light, and Fujifilm is dealing with heat-sensitive, photosensitive resins, and ultraviolet light. Kodak's main manufacturers of photosensitive materials are aimed at thermography and adopt strategies to adapt to market trends.
Dainippon Netman Manufacturing Co. doubled the PrateRite 8600's laser channel to 64, and output 20 blocks at 2400dpi in 1 hour for the Souvenir Sheet, which greatly improved ergonomics, and the batch production also went from A3 to Souvenir Sheets. Have. The platform CTP FlatRite 1050 for visible light laser and UV laser is one hour and 14th version, and all companies are following it.
After the company provided technology to Heldelberg's TopSetter, it produced the PlateRite 8600 according to the Fuji Photo Film brand and supplied it under the Luxe 19000. The FratRite 1050 was produced under the Agfa brand. It can be understood that it adopts the expansion strategy of hardware manufacturing volume. The main force of the imaging unit in the future will come from Creo's layout environment for Dainippon Screen. The decline in equipment prices, like the home appliance industry, has opened up the production system for the development of manufacturers.
The UVSetter produced by Germany's Basys Corporation is a concept of CTCP (Computer to conventional Plate). It can be displayed by the Toyo Ink Co., Ltd. in the JGAS2000 at the time of the usual PS version and coefficient code exposure. This UVSetter uses a DLP element developed by Texus Instrument to form an image by reflecting UV light from a mercury lamp with ON/OFF reflection in a fine square hole. This is also due to the very clear edge of the dot, even though it is 1800dpi, the dot reproducibility of the 175 line is also very good.
The CTP plate requires some supplements. The indispensable printing plate for UV CTP was originally Lithostar Ultra-V of Agfa, so Agfa has an advantage in the UV market. However, at PRINT01, Mitsubishi Paper promoted the aluminum-based Silver Digiplate AlphaV. Although Fujifilm has not yet named it, it plans to sell 60mJ/cm2 in the United States this year. Because it is a high-sensitivity photosensitive resin, the price is better than Agfa-based Agfa and Mitsubishi Paper, and it is also good for printing knife, and there are few problems with pasting. Mitsubishi Chemical also exhibited LV-I, a high-sensitivity resin, which was soon put on the market.
KPG published a new product called Sword, the European version of the hot European version. It is completely compatible with light, no preheating, no baking, and a printing force of over 400,000 sheets. This also suits UV/EB inks. It also published Thermal Gold, which has been recognized as the 830. Mitsubishi Chemical's thermal plate LT-2 does not require preheating or roasting, so it can obtain dot reproducibility from 0.5% to 99.5%. Fujifilm took a trial of a thermal plate without a platemaking project, and it was difficult to see the defects of the image part without ink. The so-called unscreened project is a controlled scouring technique. With the help of exposure, the film is not lost, but it floats. When printing, it is transferred to a number of sheets to add paper, and the layout becomes very clean. Fujifilm intends to apply this technology to the DI technology provided on the plate for on-board imaging. Agfa also produced Mistral, a thermal-free plateless project. In addition, the Thermo Lite for DI is also an unprinted project that does not generate impurities and is suitable for DI technology on-board imaging.
Workflows The usual prepress project has long been a digital prepress project. The core of CTP's workflow is Adobe's Extreme or Level 3 CPSI RIP. Although similar to each other, the digital workflow is not simply the output of overprinting, pagination, finishing, etc., but the future CIP 4 Differences have emerged with regard to the expansion of extension management. Moreover, the tendency to use the added-value RIP synthesis system 4 is strong, but the machines that work independently have begun to appear in the direction of software being combined in an open manner.
For example, Heidelberg's meta Dimension, whose internal format is PDF, and workflow management is based on JDF, with an additional value of RIP, it is stated that it is easily introduced by small and medium-sized printing companies and consists of possible modular systems for expansion. of. It is developed for small and medium-sized printing companies that can use ProSetter, which is relatively inexpensive. In contrast, Prinergy is positioned as a large-scale coherent system. In addition, Heidelberg's JDF uses Prinect's thinking to rely on production management systems and database connectivity.
The JDF is being recognized as a standard format, and this JDF is the job ticket advocated by the CPF3's PPF and Adobe that is unified on an XML basis. Any manufacturer who operates a digital workflow has expressed support for JDF. This is not only a prepress project but also a printer and a postpress printer.
Dainippon Screen's TrueFlow 2.0 also provides JDF support clothing. Komori's press makers and postpress machines also show JDF support services, but the reality is to look at CJP3's Print Probuction Format (PPF). Exercise content. Whether JDF is really making good use of the management of automated production systems and linkages with data from different industries is being developed in the future. However, Adobe, which had previously been highly respected by JDF, is aiming at PDF workflows rather than printing, but with the help of XML. The foundation is linked to electronic transactions and the company's basic database. In addition, the formats and manufacturers and groups related to this vary according to their respective purposes.
Japan will formally decide PDF-X as an ISO standard within this year. The United States Digital Advertising Distribution Association (DDAP) has adopted TIFF/IT as the standard electronic delivery format, but as the next format, it is proposed to be converted to PDF-X. This is because considering the key CT images of TIFF/IF, in the uncompressed case, there are too many file specifications, and after PDF-X is processed by RIP, the scan lines of CT and LW become compressed by JPEG, etc. PDF output as a reliable, easy to transmit on the Internet.
In the aspect of workflow, another feature is the user-configurable pipeline processing interface. It has acquired Harpolquin's Grobal Graphics with Max Work Flow, Artwork Systems' NEXUS, etc., and Adobe's Extreme as its core product. In addition to the aforementioned Heidelberg, Dainippon Screen, Fujifilm's Celebra IVT Extreme Ver. 5 can support transparent program elements and facilitate the use of decentralized structure formats. In addition, Enfocus Certfied PDF has attracted attention, but after PRINT01, Fujifilm decided to adopt it, and Heidelberg's meta Dimension also provided most of the OEM's programs. Most of the major Adobe Extreme sales companies provide Enfocous Pitstop or generic programs as OEMs.
Concluding remarks PDFs have been popular in Europe and the United States. Japan has just begun. It is generally started from the construction of the CTP system and its workflow, from the use of the PS to the PDF recipients, the finalization of the 1bit TIFF and in line with the trend of the future to carry out, it is expected that the CTP is to improve quality and productivity, or reduce costs, but In order to improve operational efficiency and shorten delivery deadlines, it goes without saying that the workflow before and after the job must be optimized.
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