Application of Violet Laser Diode in Direct Platemaking (Part 2)

2, reliable and durable

The violet laser diode consumes very little energy, so the laser is not lit when it is not in operation (starting but no exposure). Only the laser light is exposed during exposure, so it can effectively extend the laser lifetime. At present, the lifespan of a violet laser diode is about 3,000 hours. Take the example of 1030770 as an example, 100 Plates are produced every day, 250 days a year, and 3,000 hours is equivalent to 3.5 years. It is a good deal in terms of return on investment. Not inferior to the infrared diode laser. However, as a number of manufacturers gradually invest in R&D, it can be predicted that their life will be longer. A customer once described it as very appropriate: "It is like having a car that needs to repair engines." The violet laser diodes used by Galileo VS and Galileo VXT are extremely reliable and durable, similar to today's advanced electronic components and DVD laser heads.

3, simple structure

The violet laser diode has a small size and a simple structure, and is a modular type. It is convenient when it is replaced. The violet laser diode can be adjusted directly so that the system can be turned on and off quickly, and since it consumes very little energy (only 5 milliwatts), only a small amount of heat is generated during imaging, and it can be completely cooled by air without the need for additional cooling devices. Due to its small size and high degree of modularity, the violet laser diodes are easier to maintain and replace, reducing maintenance hours and increasing the number of hours of production.

4, easy imaging

The Galileo violet laser system allows plates to be processed under yellow safe lighting without additional darkroom settings. This allows the plate making process to more closely match the overall production. The use of Galileo VS and VXT make the direct plate-making workshop simple, save time, and make prepress operation easier.

5, high resolution

Because of the smaller laser spot generated by the short wavelength, it can provide higher resolution and also represent higher printing quality, and the output resolution can reach 2501/inch. Galileo VS and VXT's patented three-point positioning system automatically positions the plates and allows you to adjust the positioning locks with current or future punching and bending systems. During work, the electronic sensor detects the outer edge of the printing plate and calibrates the printing plate during the whole process to ensure stable and accurate imaging.

6, printing plate efficient

Galateo Plate Manager is a component of Galileo's fully automatic configuration designed to simplify the time-consuming processing of plates prior to imaging. At the same time, automating this traditional shipping process can reduce the possibility of plate loss. In addition, Galileo automatically removes the separator between the plates to prevent dust. With the Plate Manager, up to four plate boxes can be added, allowing you to store up to 400 plates of 4 different sizes or thicknesses ready for use in a connected state.

7, the process is simplified

When other manufacturers are still introducing the initial flow plan, Agfa, the pioneer of the world's PDF workflow, has further strengthened the function of Apex to make it perfect. The second generation of Apogee Series2, the Apogee series system, has a more diversified performance. The second generation of eroticism links the key links between the designer and the printing department. The latest Apogee Create component process efficiency brings designers “upstream” to the production process, enabling them to provide reliable PDF files from the very beginning. In the “downstream” printing department, Apogee PrintDrive adds a lot of automation capabilities for output management, allowing them to manage multiple output devices, allowing for post-modification, production of different versions, sun exposure, and weight Design work priorities, etc. Apogee Series2 - a comprehensive workflow solution that allows you to benefit more.

Third, application status and future

The current manufacturers of violet lasers used in CTP platesetters include Agfa, Barco Graphics, Krause Biagosch, and Purup-Eskofot. The plate used is a silver salt plate. At present, Agfa and Mitsubishi Paper are the silver salt manufacturers. Since the silver salt is a mature and stable technology, it is the most widely used digital version in the world, and its high-resolution characteristics can just take advantage of the short wavelength of violet lasers. , so the output resolution can reach 2501/inch, plus the silver salt version of the high-sensitivity features can consume only 2.5μjoule energy to be sensitive, and 2.5ujoule energy is only equivalent to 5mW produced by TuiOptics 5% of the output power of the laser head shows that the current version of the purple laser with silver salt is a temporary choice, and the perfect match is not an exaggeration.

Due to the many advantages of violet lasers, several well-known home appliances and semiconductor manufacturers have successively invested in research and development, such as Sony, Sharp, Sanyo, etc., and many more input means that the future products must be more diversified, and more advantages will be developed. , And the price will be reduced due to competition and popularity. With the current development, it seems that the violet laser is taking off and will not be eliminated in the short term. At present, in the application of CTP, Nichia is also working hard to increase the energy of the laser. The goal is to produce a 30mW (now 5W) product that is used for plates other than the silver salt version, such as the Photopolymer version. Six times the output energy, so it is still technically difficult.

(author/Bai Muyin)

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