Fujifilm is launching a chemistry-free plate to address demand for a mid point between a conventional wet processed plate and a full process-free, develop on press plate.
The Superia LHS2 takes on Agfa’s Azura plates, to date the only plate which after imaging is processed in a clean out unit with a gum solution. “This gives customers a choice,” says Sean Lane, offset product group manager at Fujifilm Graphic Systems Europe. “And it’s a step towards a full process-free solution that people want to achieve, but without the big step needed when moving from a standard to a develop on press plate.”
The Superia LHS2 uses the same technology as the Superia ZD, with a different top layer technology, which is loosened in the platesetter. This means that it will be a drop in solution to move to a process-free option at a later date. There will be no need to change press chemistry and the different plates could even be used on the same press at the same time. However, the new plate is not compatible with UV inks. The Superia ZD remains the preferred product for an environmentally friendly plate on a UV litho press.
There is no need to change the platesetter set up to cope with the new plate, though it will image faster than the ZD or ZP process-free plates. Because the image is fixed and protected by the application of gum, users do not need special care when handling the plate.
“It is a step towards what we believe must be the ultimate solution, the process-free plate,” says Lane. “There’s still a spectrum of people who have concerns about committing to a process-free plate from Day 1 and who have been asking for an intermediate step. They love the idea of process free, but feel they are not yet ready for it.”
The plate will hold 20µm FM dots, 200lpi conventional, images faster thanks to a high sensitivity top layer and has a long shelf life.
The Superia LH2S is being made in the Tilburg plate factory in Holland. It has been available under controlled sales basis for several months to provide in the field experience to the manufacturer. UK printers have been part of the programme, says Lane.
Gareth Ward
Fujifilm has introduced a chemistry free plate as a mid way between its conventional wet processed plates, which require chemistry, albeit small amounts, and its develop on press plates. The new LH-S2 needs gum to be applied after processing in a water bath.
