Avatar V-ZH is ECO3’s latest addition to the range of photopolymer offset plates for the newspaper industry. Avatar V-ZH requires zero heat for plate production. Based on the successful experience of our customers with the chem-free photopolymer plate N95-VCF, this newly developed plate technology supports the demand of newspaper printers to streamline production processes further and to reduce machine maintenance and servicing.
In addition, the reduction of waste and start-up time during the make-ready process, stability and linearity throughout the entire print run, and additional energy savings, will empower the daily production. Avatar V-ZH is sensitized for visible lasers emitting at 405 nm, and is designed for chemistry-free operation without any preheat process.
ECO3 offers fully integrated newspaper prepress solutions that come complete with CtP, clean-out unit (COU), printing plates and Arkitex workflow software.
Benefits
Imaging & processing principle
This preheat-free chemistry-free plate works with all violet CtP units currently in use at newspaper print sites across the world. During exposure, the violet-laser diode starts the polymerization of the image area. Subsequently, the plate is gummed with a dedicated plate gum, which removes the soft, unexposed non-image areas in an easy and clean way. Finally, the plate is cured by a LED bar close to the drying section.
Durable substrate
Avatar V-ZH plates provide a solid foundation for consistent press performance. Advanced electrochemical graining and anodizing yield the reliability and robustness needed on a newspaper press and the durability required for long press runs. The plate is UV-capable for semi-commercial and special applications.
High performance on press
With its high contrast, a quick visual check will quickly reveal possible errors (e.g. imposition). Avatar V-ZH combines fast, accurate and wide-latitude plate exposure with predictable, consistent, linear performance on press throughout the print run.
Easy maintenance and less waste
Chemistry-free solutions come with the benefit of a reduced environmental impact. No hazardous processing chemicals are used. The gum is pH-neutral and there is a substantial water saving. Violet chemistry-free offers major advantages in maintenance time.
Part of a total solution
Avatar V-ZH chemistry-free printing plates form a very attractive solution combined with the high-volume Advantage N plate production system and the high-speed Attiro ZH clean-out unit. The latter features a groundbreaking cascade technology and is characterized by minimal gum consumption for maximal clean-out effect. Its extensive bath life results in lower maintenance, while cleaning is easy and fast. Existing ECO3 clean-out units can easily be upgraded to the preheat-free version.
| Plate specifications | |
|---|---|
| Plate type | Negative-working, high-speed, preheat-free, chemistry-free violet-laser offset plate |
| Coating | Photopolymer |
| Surface | Electrochemically grained and anodized |
| Spectral sensitivity | 405 nm violet-laser diode |
| Platesetter compatibility | Most violet platesetters |
| Image contrast | Very good. Can be measured with all normal plate readers. |
| Plate sizes | All newspaper sizes, single and broadsheets |
| Resolution (depending on platesetter) | ABS: 2-97 % at 130 lpi |
| Sublima: 0.5-99.5% at 180 lpi | |
| Gauges | 0.20 mm, 0.30 mm |
| Run length (depending on press conditions) | Up to 300,000 |
| Up to 100,000 for UV inks |
| Processing | |
|---|---|
| Clean-out unit | Attiro ZH or Attiro VHS, VCF85 N and VXCF85 N clean-out units with ZH upgrade option |
| Clean-out gum | Violet CF GUM NP or Attiro GUM (for Attiro only) |
| Replenishment | Not required |
| Bath life | Cleaning of Gum Section 1 required after 4,000 m2 (6.5 l) |
| Full cleaning required after 8,000 m2 (17.6 l) | |
| Processor and clean-out unit | Compatible with most polymer processors and clean-out units |
| Clean-out speed | 0.8-3.0 m/min depending on clean-out unit |
| Environment | |
|---|---|
| Room lighting | Yellow |
| Working conditions | Operating temperature 21-25 °C |
| Relative humidity 40-60 % | |
| Storage conditions | Temperature: < 30°C (86°F) |
| Relative humidity: 40 – 60 % |
| Recommended ECO3 pressroom supplies | |
|---|---|
| Plate correction pen (for unbaked plates) | Polymer deletion pen |
| Plate cleaner | Standard: ANTURA CtP Plate Cleaner |
| Cleaning gum: ANTURA CleanGum | |
| Fountain solutions | Sheetfed: Not applicable |
| Heatset: Not applicable | |
| Coldset: ANTURA fount CS2-(s), ANTURA fount CS2-(s)-spray | |
| Rehardener: RC611 | |
| Rehardener for reverse osmosis water: ANTURA water conditioner | |
| Roller and blanket washes | XTRAWASH Plus 40 & 60 |
