The Clarksville (Tenn.) Leaf Chronicle and Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer have begun using punch bender systems from K&F International.

Both dailies are using the vendor’s ProVision 200-plate-per-hour bender, used for both computer-to-plate and computer-to-film deployments.

“The registration it gives has improved our quality,” said Pat Stubbs, operations director at the Ledger-Enquirer. “We have reduced by one-third the amount of time it used to take in stripping for our commercial press runs.”

Stubbs said the newspaper hasn’t yet mined all the system’s features, but will do so once it adds a new platesetter.

K&F’s punch bender system can handle up to 200 
plates per hour.
Photo: K&F International

The ProVision allows users to change plate profiles from a PC. Modem and network connections are standard.

K&F also made the following sales:

• The Penny Saver of Brea, Calif., purchased two AB-7000 automatic inline benders for finishing the 2 million square feet of plates it produces annually. The two benders will be used with four basysPrint computer-to-conventional-plate exposure units purchased for Penny Saver’s Brea and Miraloma (Calif.) facilities. Plates will be manually fed from the processor to the AB-7000.

• The Standard Times Review in New Bedford, Mass., purchased an AP-200 automatic plate punch system. The AP-200 holds up to 200 plates and automatically registers, punches and stacks press plates ready for production runs.

• La Prensa of Panama City, Panama, purchased 104 mechanical slot lockups for its Goss Urbanite Press. K&F’s slot lock incorporates a slot with registration and a mechanical locking gripper system to help improve plate holding and registration.

• The Spokesman Review in Spokane, Wash., purchased 384 K&F CML-HT press register lockups for its Goss Metro press to improve registration and reduce waste.

• The Union Leader in Manchester, N.H., purchased an auto-optical punch system for its conventional film system. The AOP-F is a manual load punch that uses video cameras and image targets to register and punch film.