Overview of CTcP Technology
We are a big printing company in Shenzhen China . We offer all book publications, hardcover book printing, papercover book printing, hardcover notebook, sprial book printing, saddle stiching book printing, booklet printing,packaging box, calendars, all kinds of PVC, product brochures, notes, Children's book, stickers, all kinds of special paper color printing products, game cardand so on.
For more information please visit
http://www.joyful-printing.com. ENG only
http://www.joyful-printing.net
http://www.joyful-printing.org
email: info@joyful-printing.net
Since the advent of the Desktop Publishing System (DTP), the printing industry has been looking for new ways to make plates so that the high speed of the computer can be better reflected. One solution is the CTP technology, which eliminates the need for processing and fixing processes such as film development, and directly copies the digital image information processed by the computer onto the printing plate. An obvious shortcoming of this technology is that the plates used are expensive and many users who want to adopt this technology are discouraged. CTcP technology is an inheritance of the advantages of CTP, and can continue to use the tradition Offset plate technology. BasysPrint is the world's first concept of CTcP and the development of CTcP Machine manufacturer. As early as the Drupa 1995 International Printing Expo, the German company BasysPrint launched its initial prototype.
The UV-Setter platesetter demonstrates the new technology for exposing traditional PS offset plates using UV light sources. Printed in Drupa2000 International At the Brush Expo, BasysPrint officially launched UV-Setter for direct plate making using the traditional PS version. The series of platesetters, since then CTcP as a epoch-making printing plate technology on the stage of printing history.
First, CTcP technology introduction
CTcP is the abbreviation of Computer to conventional plate, which refers to computer direct plate making on the traditional PS plate.
It is a form of CTP process. The technology uses a 360-450 nm UV light source to digitally expose a conventional PS plate. Current situation In view, CTcP platesetter generally adopts two technical methods: one is digital screen imaging technology based on digital micromirror device (DMD) ( DSI), the UV-Setter platesetter series produced by BasysPrint is based on this technology; The digital light valve controls the output of the optical fiber to achieve the exposure technology. The Danish plate-making machine from Purup-Eskofot of Denmark Adopt this technology. From the current development situation, Germany's BasysPrint company uses DMC technology CTcP platesetter It has achieved remarkable results and has occupied the majority of the CTcP platesetter market. So here is the German must win graphic arts (BasysPrint) company plate machine as an example to introduce the working principle of CTcP.
The core of the UV-setter series plate-making system of BasysPrint is the digital screen imaging technology and micro-mirror chip. Technology, through the combination of the two, successfully realized the imaging technology that uses high-efficiency ultraviolet light source to generate clear dot images. The system The UV source is used and the spectral range is 360-450 nm. The specific working principle is: ultraviolet light emitted from the light source, concentrated It is irradiated onto the DMD (Digital Micromirror Element) and imaged on the plate by the refraction of the DMD.
The Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) was developed by Texas Instruments, a short for Digital Micromirror Device, also known as Digital Light Processing Technology. There are 1.3 million in 2cm2 area. Independently controlled micromirrors. During the imaging process, light that is incident on the micromirror is projected onto the plate through the lens, or is not projected, not The plate is exposed to an image that ultimately consists of dots on the plate.
Second, CTcP imaging characteristics analysis
In laser exposure, the formed circular pixels require edge overlap and thus require more pixels. UV-Setter series platesetter is used Square pixels form a square pixel of 10 to 28 μm according to the resolution, and its clear edges ensure high-quality imaging. In traditional glue After exposure on the plate, the clear distinction between the exposed and unexposed surfaces ensures a very high copy quality at high speeds. Square Pixels also guarantee good image quality at low resolutions. For the user, this kind of dot means that high quality printing can be achieved even with lower resolution. In practical work, There are many advantages to using low resolution, such as significantly shortening RIP time, reducing the amount of data processed, saving computer system memory, and exposure speed. Degrees are faster. For example, the number of screen lines for high-end commercial print jobs is 200 lpi, and the resolution is 1500 dpi. With 17μm, CTcP can be used to obtain high quality images even with low resolution.
Third, the advantages of CTcP technology
CTcP has many advantages, most notably increased productivity, time savings and lower production costs. However, CTcP can reflect The extent of the advantages is also related to the degree of mastery of digital technology by printing companies. Transforming from traditional plate making to computer-to-plate There are many important factors in terms of time and cost.
1. Significant economics
1.1 Simplified process flow. The CTcP system reduces the process of filming and printing in traditional processes, saving consumables and related expenses..
1.2 Use a traditional PS plate. In various CTP systems, special CTP plates are inevitably required, which are very expensive. and The plate used in CTcP plate making is a cheap conventional printing plate, which is the general PS plate used in the current process. And other CTP techniques Compared with the traditional PS plate and the developing machine and the syrup, the CTcP system has a large price advantage and can achieve production. Low cost operation.
1.3 equipment is simple. The CTcP system uses UV-sensitive plates, so it can be easily operated under bright room conditions, and the company can not change the printing. The system was introduced in the case of other operating environments. Its light source uses UV lamps, and its life has been increased to 2,500 hours, but the price is not The laser light source is 1/10, so the operation and maintenance cost of the equipment is very low.
2. No need to output film, improve print quality
The CTcP system inherits the advantages of the CTP system—you don't need to export the film, you can also implement computer-to-plate. This way you can Saving film materials and processing materials saves time for manual imposition. Many users who use CTcP have the work of film printing. Inspection, after the film is not needed, the print quality of the printed matter is significantly improved, because the image and the dot are not attenuated by the quality of the traditional prepress process. Impact. The printing plate after printing is of better quality, because the influence factors such as dust and scratches on the film no longer exist, and the positioning is more accurate. In short, the network obtained by CTcP plate-making technology is the first generation of outlets that are directly passed to the printing plate. The edges are clean and sharp, and faithful.
Original.
3. Quickly and steadily integrate into traditional plate making processes
Since the CTcP system still uses the common PS plate that the printing factory is familiar with, the producer can continue to use the original plate making without any doubt. Various liquid chemicals, developing equipment and perforating devices in the process are well compatible with the printing system and the printing machine. Printing companies do not need Worried about the problems caused by changes in printability, it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and effort to complete the plates and printing presses. Match work. CTcP technology not only simplifies the original lengthy process, but also preserves the traditional operating habits and printing Sexuality provides the best way to accomplish production tasks in a stable and efficient manner.
In connection with other prepress systems, CTcP also has its own unique features. All UV-Setter series CTcP platesetters are equipped with The 1-BitTiff interface. No matter what device and workflow, the output file is in 1-BitTiff format, and can be combined with CTcP. The version is perfectly joined. For printing companies, this means that operators can implement digital systems quickly and easily without additional investment. Version process. In addition, simple equipment and open workflow have more advantages for future maintenance and upgrades.
4. Reduce printing and debugging time and material loss
Since the plate positioning is not required, the quality of the printing plate is better, and it is not necessary to re-plate due to inaccurate positioning, so as to avoid printing on the machine. Spend a lot of time on school. As the short version of the entire printing industry is more and more live, the change of plate and the commissioning of the machine become a regular job. cut back Printing and debugging time can save time and cost significantly. CTcP plate making is more accurate than traditional analog plate making, so it is reduced when debugging Less (dampening) waste of water, paper, ink and other consumables.
5. Simple operation
All UV materials (plates or proofing materials) can be operated in the bright room, while blue-violet lasers need to be in the darkroom, with weak or yellow light. The operation of the color light source allows easy printing of plates of various sizes and sizes, and can process multiple plates at the same time, which can be in the same piece.
Multiple exposures on the media.
6. Printing customers are more satisfied
The printing customer is more satisfied with the quality of the printed matter, and the printing production time is shorter, which means that the delivery is more timely and the operating cost of the factory is reduced. Make printing companies take the lead in the fierce market competition.
7. Advantages of UV light direct plate making
Exposure with a UV light source of 360 to 450 nm means that the conventional PS plate can be used in the direct plate making process, which is used by the printing manufacturers. Year's printing plate, familiar with its performance and processing procedures, mature technology, and PS version is cheaper than thermal CTP plate, purple laser plate The PS version is the most widely used printing plate in the printing industry worldwide. No need to train printers because they already have sex with this plate I can know everything.
Fourth, the current shortcomings of CTcP technology
Of course, the CTcP platemaking system also has its shortcomings that cannot be ignored. Although the CTcP plate making system can realize computer direct system on the ordinary PS version Version, but because the sensitivity of the ordinary PS version is generally low, the plate making speed is not satisfactory. In order to cooperate with the promotion of CTcP system, Agfa, Fu Companies such as Shike and Kodak have successively introduced a series of high-sensitivity plates to make the CTcP plate making speed close to the thermal CTP plate making speed. But want to make CTcP is more competitive and the plate making speed needs to be further improved. In addition, DMD is the core component of the platesetter for improved resolution. Micro-lens has increased from the initial 300,000, 800,000 to the current 1.3 million. It can be seen that DMD is a very delicate component, which gives it Daily maintenance and maintenance bring certain difficulties. Any failure of a microlens will affect the imaging effect to some extent. Once DMD If there is a big problem, it needs to be replaced, which not only affects the normal operation of the machine, but also costs a lot.
V. CTcP application
At the Drupa2000 International Printing Expo, CTcP is only a concept product, its quality, speed and price are very different from other technologies far. But after four years, the equipment has become more mature, the speed has been greatly improved, and the price is more reasonable. In Drupa 2004 At the International Printing Expo, as a pioneer in the use of traditional plates for computer-to-plate, the winners of BasysPrint are There has been great progress in imaging technology. At the show, it exhibited UV-Setter 1132, UV-Setter N546, UV- Setter531, UV-Setter736, UV-Setter731e and many other CTcP systems that are plated in the traditional PS version, and launched The DSI2 technology makes the fourth-generation UV-Setter series platesetter more accurate and faster. And after the FOGRA test, I think it must The printing resolution of the UV-Setter system platesetter of Shengyin Art Company is very good. For example, UV-specific for newspaper platemaking The SetterN546 platform plate-making machine uses DSI2 technology, which increases the exposure speed by 40%-60%, and the plate-making speed reaches every small At 120, this new imaging technology is a good solution to the need for higher speeds in newspaper plate making.
The main products of the company's UV-Setter direct plate-making output machine include: UV-Setter 5 series, UV-Setter 7 series, UV-Setter 11 series and UV-Setter N series. UV-Setter 5 is designed for four-open specifications for commercial, packaging and book printing They have a maximum exposure size of 690×940mm on conventional PS plates and printed materials; the UV-Setter 7 series is designed to be in the open format.Can be used for commercial, packaging and book printing, their maximum exposure size on traditional PS plates and printed materials is 940 × 1150mm; UV-The Setter 11 series is the only one of all UV-Setters that can handle a 1880×3207mm size, or both. Multiple plates (eg two folios, 700 x 1000mm); UV-Setter N series designed to solve newspaper printing solutions All target newspaper formats can be exposed (maximum size 940 x 690mm).
Once the CTcP technology appeared, it was immediately sought after by the printing industry. In just a few years, the German company has already installed in the world. 530 UV-Setter systems. Among them, the UV-Setter 5 series is installed with about 135 units, UV-Setter7 series installations have about 280 units There are about 50 UV-Setter 11 installations and about 65 UV-Setter N series installations.
The CTcP platesetter of Germany Bisheng Graphic Arts Co., Ltd. entered the Chinese market in 2003. After more than one year of market recognition and verification process, it will win. The graphic company CTcP platesetter has gradually gained recognition and love from Chinese customers, and in 2005 showed a good and strong sales momentum. At the beginning of 2005, CTcP platesetters were ordered by Baosteel Group, Yonghong Printing Group, and Minsi Group. Based on its long-term experience in using CTP, Yonghong Printing Group has purchased 9 copies of the CTcP equipment after winning the game. The CTcP plate-making machine shows the attractiveness of the CTcP plate-making machine in terms of cost and many other advantages. As of May 2005, CTcP platesetter 2005 In the year, sales in China have exceeded 20 units. Because CTcP can reduce the cost of making plates and improve the efficiency of plate making, thus increasing competition in printing houses Ability, so I believe that the application potential of CTcP in China is very large.