➤ DRUPA presentations showed Japanese giant Fujifilm’s position as the newspaper systems partner of the present and the future.
The ‘here-and-now’ was represented in plate technologies such as the chemistry-free Brillia HD PRO-V – a violet photopolymer plate with the same quality and productivity as its conventional predecessor – and new systems from Krause and Screen, its CTP partners in Australia and New Zealand.
And the future? Fujifilm’s investment in inkjet technology and its closer relationship with Xerox in key markets are part of a commitment to opening profitable new avenues for newspaper publishers.
Warren Hinder, Fujifilm Australia’s national newspaper specialist says the release of processless and chemistry-free digital plates now spans both thermal and violet laser imaging: “Importantly, there’s no loss of platesetter productivity,” he says. “With the ability of high-speed violet CTP devices such as the Krause LS Jet 300 to image well over 220 single broadsheet plates an hour, it is very important that the new generation of developer-free plates run at that the same speed as current plates that still use developer.”
He says another major benefit of Fujifilm’s Brillia PRO-V will be the reduction in water usage: “This new technology needs very little water and, combined with the advantage of not requiring plate developer, will make it much easier for large companies to reduce wastage, save valuable resources and save money.
“The ability of PRO-V plate to handle 200 lpi and FM screening technologies will be another big advantage for newspapers – taking out the developer stage makes it far easier to image consistent FM screening on plate.”
A Brillia PRO-T processless digital plate for thermal CTP systems – again without output speed loss – was introduced in 2006, and is targetted at commercial printers. Both are specified for a 1-99% dot at 200 lpi, are FM-capable and suitable for up to 200,000 impressions.
Fujifilm is the industry’s biggest investor in core CTP technologies, and brought a new plate manufacturing facility in China – its fifth worldwide – on stream in March last year. At DRUPA, the company also demonstrated a range of enhancements to its cross-media workflow solution XMF, including enhancements to its online proofing and approvals engine and a new module to assist in image processing.
In the pressroom, a range of new pressroom chemistry alongside a new solution designed to improve press performance and quality management, demonstrate how Fujifilm is helping maximise opportunities from existing equipment.
Fujifilm Australia has installed Krause platesetters at some of the country’s biggest newspaper groups, and with the installation at APN Print in Ballina, now has seven Tarng Yun optical plate benders in the Australian newspaper market.
New from Krause is the ‘plug and play’ Smart’n’Easy line, which aims to provide a simple transition route for community newspapers. Components cover workflow, manual or auto exposure, processing and plate bending. All are optically integrated without compromises in workflow functionality, and are rated for up to 100 plates per hour. Versions for commercial applications are also available.
Krause’s LS Jet and LS Performance platesetters now have new features to support unattended production, a more powerful 120 mw violet diode, and easy-maintenance electrical and pneumatics. A NetTrack module enables platesetter supervision within the customer network and with the Krause service gateway.
DRUPA also brought showings of Fujifilm’s digital printing systems, including a new inkjet system leveraging Fuji Xerox technology with a greyscale printhead developed by Fujifilm’s Dimatix subsidiary. It uses single-pass inkjet technology to image 1200 dpi, enabling it to match the productivity and quality of offset printing. Fujifilm’s advanced chemical technology was leveraged to develop water-based inks, and the company says it will continue to expand and develop its graphic systems business by taking advantage of these next-generation technologies.
A longstanding relationship with digital systems company Xerox – extending to the foundation of Fuji Xerox in 1962 – is also being strengthened. Bringing distribution channels together with Fujifilm as a reseller first in North America and most recently Europe, has been a natural stage in maximising opportunities.
Fujifilm Australia Pty Ltd
Telephone: +61 (0) 2 9466 2600
Warren Hinder – mob: +61 (0)405 311 603
Email: warren.hinder@fujifilm.com.au
Web: www.fujifilm.com.au
