New Products
By Bill Esler -- Graphic Arts Online, 3/1/2008
MicoKleen Ultra-low VOC press wash from Varn Pressroom Chemicals (a unit of Flint's Day Int'l.) is a patent-pending, water-based solution that emulsifies and encapsulates ink so it can be rinsed off. Compliant with California South Coast Air Quality Rule 1171, the wash helps reduce VOCs by 90%, says Varn, is not harmful to printing blankets or rollers, and allows clean-up with less wash. It works in automated and manual wash-up cycles, steps for which are described at the product's Website. www.dayintnl.com
Yellow Magic from CL Laboratories cleans flexo, UV and water-based inks and UV coatings and varnishes safely from presses, parts, rubber, plastic, stainless steel alloys, photopolymer plates and rollers. Non-toxic and non-flammable, it exceeds current environmental standards, with less than 2.2% VOCs, compliant with California Air Quality Rule 1171, so wipes can be disposed in ordinary garbage. www.yellowmagiccleaner.com
Fujifilm Taskero Universe adds Server Performance Monitoring, joining a suite of Web-based process control products, including Colorpath Verified and Hardware Monitoring. Server Performance Monitoring provides central management and administration for IT infrastructure, including security and early warnings of potential failures. Taskero Universe Colorpath Verified prevents sending proofs and plates that do not meet specifications. Hardware Monitoring gives early notification of processor problems. www.fujifilmgs.com
IOS Inline Offset Cutting system by Kocher & Beck diecuts, perforates, cuts or creases directly on press, using flexible dies with mounting bars for each press model—so dies are ready for reruns. Cutting at normal press speeds, IOC maintains sheet alignment for subsequent finishing. Imported from Germany by H.S. Boyd. www.hsboyd.com
Tempo from Sappi is a two-sided coated sheet guaranteed to cut ink setting time in half, says Mark Gardner, Sappi CEO. “We are guaranteeing the paper will set ink in under 30 minutes and dry ink for processing at the bindery in under two hours.” Tempo is available in North America in Gloss and Matte finishes and in basis weights of 70-lb. to 100-lb. text and 80-lb. cover. It is available in press-ready mini-skids and carton put-ups for Text and Cover. A Silk finish version was introduced to Europe in November. Separately, Sappi says its mills in Skowhegan, ME, Muskegon, MI and Cloquet, MN have been chain-of-custody certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Forest Stewardship Council and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification programs; Cloquet and Somerset mills are also certified to Sustainable Forestry Initiatives' Fiber Sourcing program. www.sappi.com/tempo
Magnus Platesetter lines from Kodak are being expanded, with new models to be presented at drupa. The 60-ppm Magnus 800Z Quantum has faster throughput than any other in the line, using a new advanced thermal head with double the laser power of Magnus predecessors. An optional multi-cassette unit puts 500 plates online. With Kodak Thermal Direct non-process plates, the 800Z outputs 35 plates per hour. For extremely wide web presses with formats of 80 pages and beyond, Kodak announced an XLF platesetter this quarter, the Magnus XLF 80 Quantum (shown), based on its VLF Quantum platesetter, said to be the fastest fully automated, very large format platesetter on the market. It runs up to 48 plates per hour at 2,400 dpi. Kodak says XLF Plates will also be available for the Magnus XLF platesetters.www.graphics.kodak.com
Genesis Smart Papers has attained Forest Stewardship Council cerification for its entire line of premium uncoated printing and packaging papers, says its mill. The full FSC certification of Genesis adds to the company's growing line of FSC-certified papers, including those with post-consumer waste. Smart Papers, the largest independent North American producer of premium cast coated, matte coated and uncoated printing papers, says it now makes a majority of Genesis lines with 100% post-consumer waste; the remaining grades contain 30% post-consumer waste fibers. An updated swatchbook (shown) is now available. www.smartpapers.com
VectorTX52 Platesetter from Presstek images Freedom chemistry-free metal plates in a compact, self-contained daylight operating system, eliminating the need for a darkroom. It outputs up to 16 plates per hour using patented ThinDrum and SureFire technology.
The plate washer is built directly into the device rather than requiring two separate units. The Freedom plate is inserted at the front, imaged and water-rinsed inside before being discharged finished and press-ready. The thermal metal plate is designed for run lengths up to 25,000 impressions, yet is priced competitively with polyester plates, says Presstek. After imaging, plates are automatically cleaned with water by the Vector TX52, requiring no special cleaning fluids or gumming. www.presstek.com
Megtec Dual-Dry RTO dryer integrates regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO) for air pollution compliance with an ultra- high 95% efficiency heat exchanger, using heat generated in drying to burn pollutants, and fueling itself from solvents (even entirely, depending on coverage). This cuts fuel use and CO2 emissions. Engineered for wider, high-volume web offset presses up to 96 pages, in two lengths and for speeds to 600 fps, RTO technology burns ink solvent about 100°C (212°F) higher than recuperative systems, reducing NOx and CO guaranteed emissions by 50%. It splits in two for transport. The first Dual-Dry RTO is being installed in Austria on an 88´´ MAN Roland 80-page Lithoman. www.megtec.com
MAN Roland says ecology will be one of the key concerns demonstrated at drupa. The press manufacturer will emphasize a systems approach to reducing the carbon footprint of print manufacturing in both sheetfed and web processes. Systems include Pecom and printNet workflow integration, printServices lifecycle management, printCom process-compliant system components, and printAdvice consulting for process optimization. QuickStart and QuickChange and sheetfed DirectDrive technologies speed changeovers and reduce waste. The company offers Solvent Recyclers to trim chemistry use, in five-gallon, 20-gallon and continuous models. www.manroland.us.com
Suprasetter platesetters have been upgraded in the run-up to drupa, says Heidelberg.Compatible with Heidelberg's rebranded Saphira plates, the setters are approved for some 40 other plates. Laser diode power, increased 60%, means Suprasetter models 74 and 105 are available in three and four speed levels respectively, and will be field- upgradable after drupa to four and five levels. Higher imaging energy raises output, for example 35% for Saphira Chemfree plates. Laser heads are available in resolutions of 2,540 dpi and 2,400 dpi, working with all customary workflows. Cassette loaders were upgraded with a new suction system for improved removal of slip sheets regardless of climate. www.us.heidelberg.com
