Agfa Graphics :Azura TS digital plate, the latest commercial chemistry-free plate in the Agfa portfolio, is making is North America debut at Graph Expo 2008, which runs October 26th through October 29th at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.
:Azura TS builds on the success of the original :Azura by combining an environmentally-friendly clean-out with a more sensitive coating, resulting in significantly higher throughput on thermal platesetters, including the new :Avalon N range of CtP systems.
:Azura TS uses Agfa's patented ThermoFuseTM technology, which physically bonds images to the plate without any chemical processing.
Unlike regular thermal plates, :Azura TS uses a simple gumming process in a clean-out unit (COU) that makes the plates press-ready without the need for chemical processing, rinsing and gumming. Liquid consumption and waste in such COUs are considerably reduced and no chemical controls are needed. :Azura C95 and C125 COUs have low energy requirements and small footprints, providing further benefits for the low-to-medium-volume commercial printers who adopt the system.
:Azura users at more than 2000 installations around the world already benefit from one of the simplest, most reliable and predictable CtP technologies ever developed. The :Azura TS takes those advantages several steps further.
The plate is FM capable and rated for press runs of about 100,000 impressions (subject to press conditions). It is fully compatible with a broad range of standard press founts and inks.
