Technology that enhances productivity

Large-format plate output

The PlateRite Ultima 36000 can output plates up to 2,100 mm x 1,600mm, which is large enough to fit 36 A4-size pages comfortably.

Advanced 512-channel imaging head

Screen has used GLV™ technology to develop a revolutionary multi-channel imaging head that enables remarkably high-speed and high-quality exposure.

This cutting-edge imaging head features 512 individual laser beams that expose plates in wide swathes, enabling the PlateRite Ultima 36000 to deliver unbeatable throughput without sacrificing quality.

GLV™ imaging head with high-power laser

GLV™ (Grating Light Valve™) technology employs the same production processes as those used in semiconductor manufacturing. A GLV™ array is made up of thousands of microscopic reflective ribbons placed over a silicon chip.

These ribbons can be moved up or down to either reflect or diffract the imaging laser that is targeted at the array, and thus simultaneously turn on and off an extremely high number of optical channels.

Screen utilises the laser control technology that it has cultivated over the years to target a high-power laser at the GLV™ array with extremely high precision, making it possible to simultaneously control 512 channels of light.

This dramatically increases the width of the area that can be imaged with each rotation of the drum and contributes too much higher productivity.

The combination of a high-power laser and GLV™ technology delivers sharp, clear halftone dots, and is the core technology that makes it possible for the PlateRite Ultima 36000 to meet the stringent demands of Screen’s clients.

Dual plate imaging (option)

The advanced PlateRite Ultima large-format platesetters can image two plates together on the drum. The PlateRite Ultima 36000 can image two plates of 1,030 x 1,600 mm together.

In other words, this platesetters is perfect for imaging not only large-format plates but also pairs of smaller plates together.

Imaging pairs of plates increases productivity, since plates need to be loaded and unloaded fewer times. Twin imaging heads can be used to simultaneously expose the two plates side-by-side for even higher productivity.

Automatic inline plate punching for extremely high registration accuracy

The PlateRite Ultima 36000 features an automatic inline punching system that helps enable perfect register on press.

Plates are punched by the automatic inline punching system immediately before being loaded onto the drum. Since the plates are imaged with the punched holes in place on the drum’s registration pins, plates can be positioned consistently, regardless of plate size and shape variations, which results in extremely high registration accuracy.

The addition of optional press punch blocks (up to 8 punch blocks can be mounted and selected according to plate size and press type) makes it possible for imaged plates to be loaded straight onto the press.

This eliminates the need for additional manual adjustment and ensures high registration accuracy, creating the foundation for perfect results on press. Inline punching shortens press make ready time dramatically, and significantly improves the efficiency of the entire printing operation.

Automated plate loading for very large format plates

An automated plate loading system that supplies very large format (VLF) plates to the CTP engine constantly and reliably is the key to maintaining VLF CTP operations. The PlateRite Ultima 36000 features a variety of proven and reliable plate loading technologies that ensure a constant and reliable plate supply to the CTP engine, including automatic interleaf paper removal.

Handling very large format plates is a tough job for any operator, and the efficient operation of the platemaking department can be compromised if plates are damaged during the loading of cassettes, or if plate loading takes too much time.

The PlateRite Ultima uses a proven system that has been highly successful with the PlateRite Ultima 32000, in which the plate cassette is slanted while the plates are loaded, enables easy plate loading and reduces the strain on the operator, while ensuring constant operation.
An optional multi-cassette autoloader that is equipped with four plate cassettes enables automatic loading of up to 300 plates (75 0.3 mm thick plates per cassette).

The PlateRite Ultima 36000 is also equipped with an automatic plate loading table that can be used to load plates into the platesetter one by one.

The operator simply places the plate on the slanted loading table; the rest of the plate loading process takes place automatically.