At IfraExpo ’02 in Barcelona, Spain, Autologic, an Agfa Co., announced the commercial release of the Ultra generation of its Lithostar Violet digital plates.

The printing plate is optimized for newspaper computer-to-plate and has wash-off properties and wider latitude in processing and printing, according to Autologic. Autologic said the performance on-press of the Lithostar Violet is highly reliable, which results in fewer plate remakes.

The complete Lithostar Ultra system includes Ultra developer, Ultra finisher and Concept 7 waste reduction. The Ultra developer has longer exhaustion latitude, which allows maximum strength performance for longer periods of time.

Autologic said the Concept 7 processing system reduces processor waste by 40 percent, which eliminates the water from the washing process. This minimizes additional waste by reusing finisher a second time to rinse off plates; the conservation of chemicals ultimately results in time and money saved.

Closed loop concept signals process deviations

Additionally, the company also used IfraExpo to launch its closed loop, quality control system that notifies users of any quality deviation from a prepress component, including the platesetter, processor or consumables. Autologic demonstrated phase one of the closed loop system, which enables users to control complex production systems. It reads and registers the project’s parameters, analyzes them and automatically suggests corrective actions, if required.

The system consists of a central control unit, which houses the quality tracking system. The quality tracking system monitors the system, measures plate output; and identifies deviations for complete quality control of most prepress components.

Autologic said the solution is ideal for manual to industrial plate-making environments.