As a major player in print Agfa Graphics continues to invest heavily in R&D in order to provide advantages to printers

Agfa  has broadened its chemistry-free range of plates in Oceania. The Azura Vi is designed for a wide range of high-quality commercial sheet-fed applications with run lengths up to 150,000 impressions.  The new chemistry-free plate is sensitised for visible lasers emitting at 405nm and works with all mainstream violet imagers with a 30mW (or greater) laser. 

Koni Neuhofer businesss manager Oceania at Agfa Graphics says, “Azura Vi’s advanced electrochemical graining and anodised substrate yields the reliability and durability needed on press for long run, quality printing.  Based on proven photopolymer technology Azura Vi combines outstanding lithographic quality with ease of use, excellent stability and ecology. The image is sharp and durable.

“Not only does chemistry-free Azura Vi offer a greener alternative, but it substantially saves users money while increasing convenience and consistency. Azura Vi eliminates variables in the plate-making process so it is more stable, consistent and ecological. “All these benefits are important to eco-conscious commercial printers looking to streamline, simplify and reduce their cost of ownership without compromising quality or long-run durability on press.”

How Azura Vi Works
After the exposure process, the plate is gummed, during which the soft unexposed image area is cleanly and completely removed.  Because Azura Vi is a chemistry-free plate, there is no need for developer, eliminating one of the primary variables affecting image consistency.  There is no water required other than for processor maintenance, further reducing waste.

In addition to chemistry and water cost savings, processor energy costs are also reduced. Instead of using a conventional photopolymer plate processor, printers can now use a simple, less expensive and easy-to-maintain clean-out unit.

Agfa says it has the largest portfolio of chemistry-free and low-chemistry plates. Other chemistry-free / developer-free plates in the Agfa portfolio include:
Azura TS – a thermal, negative working plate for commercial printing. Elimination of chemistry removes all process variables and simplifies plate making for consistent results up to 100,000 impressions.
Amigo TS – ThermoFuse technology delivers robust, high resolution developer-free plate making.  :Amigo TS has improved image contrast with a run length of up to 200,000 impressions without post baking; it can also be baked for even longer runs.
N94-VCF – Agfa’s next-generation chemistry-free violet plate designed specifically for newspaper and coldset printers.  The new :N94-VCF is the successor to :N92-VCF plate, Agfa’s original photopolymer chemistry-free plate.  :N94-VCF offers run lengths up to 200,000 impressions.

According to Agfa the N94-VCF provides the solid foundation for consistent press performance thanks to advanced electrochemical graining and anodising that yield the reliability and robustness needed on a newspaper press and the durability required to produce long press runs.

Apart from the stable and quick imaging process, chemistry-free solutions come with a reduced environmental impact.  No hazardous processing chemicals are used.  The gum is pH-neutral and there is a 100 per cent water saving, because no water is used compared to standard photpolymer processing.  And just like with thermofuse solutions, violet chem-free offers major advantages in maintenance time.

Clean out unit
Agfa says its newest clean-out unit, the Azura CX125 COU, brings benefits of chemistry-free thermal plates to high-volume users, claiming a yield of an additional 60 per cent reduction in gum consumption as compared to the Azura standard.  It is designed to handle plate volumes up to 40,000 sqm. With a bath life of up to 7000 sqm, maintenance is further reduced. 

How it works
The Cascade technology behind the Azura CX125 COU cleans each plate in two steps.

The primary clean out is carried out in section one, the plate then passing to section two where the gum is always fresh from the bottle ensuring a perfectly clean gummed plate. The cascade of gum from section two to section one involves adding a small volume of water to compensate for evaporation. Agfa says this considerably reduces gum waste and significantly extends bath life, offering added environmental benefits and reduced maintenance costs.

Neuhofer says, “The patented technology in the new Azura CX125 COU clean-out unit results in reliable throughput with fewer changeovers, for greater productivity, efficiency and ease of use.  This gives large commercial printers the benefits of stable, convenient and ecological plate-making and a lower cost of ownership for maximum efficiency and greater productivity. When paired with Agfa’s Avalon platesetters, large-volume printers will experience greater productivity and see extensive reductions in system maintenance and downtime.”

Chemistry-free newspapers
Neuhofer says, “Based on proven photopolymer technology the N94-VCF plate combines outstanding lithographic quality with easy handling, excellent durability and eco-benefits. However, because it is a chemistry-free plate there is no need for a developer, meaning that one of the main variables affecting image consistency disappears.”

This chemistry-free plate works with all mainstream violet CTP units currently in use at newspaper print sites across the world and emitting at least 30 mW.  The plate is gummed with a dedicated pH neutral gum, during which process the soft, unexposed non-image area is easily and cleanly removed.

Neuhofer sees the plate gaining quick acceptance. He says, “Although a chemistry-free plate, press operators will readily accept it as it looks, feels and behaves as any other metal offset plate.  The N94-VCF combines fast, accurate and wide-latitude plate exposure with chemistry-free processing, while  ensuring predictable, consistent performance on press.”