At present, CTP plate-setting machines are generally divided into four categories: inner drum type, external drum type, flat plate type, and curve type. Among these four types, the most commonly used are the inner drum and outer drum types; the flat type is mainly used on large-format plates such as newspapers; the curved type is rarely used. According to statistics, in 1997, among the 58 types of CTP machines provided by 29 manufacturers, there were 24 types of internal drum types, 16 types of external drum types, 9 types of flat plates, and 9 types of curved types. Among these forms, the external drum style has gradually become the mainstream trend.
Mounting method
According to the degree of automation, the plate mounting method can be divided into two types: manual and automatic. Manual plate-loading machines are cheaper, but generally require operation in a darkroom, so the efficiency is lower; while automatic plate-loading equipment has high working efficiency, but is more expensive, generally about $100,000 more than the manual model. . Moreover, automatic equipment must use a full box of printing plates with release paper when loading plates. The surface of the plate has a light-proof protective film, so it can be operated in a bright room. When loading the plate, the protective film on the surface of the printing plate can be automatically peeled off with the help of the plate feeder, so that the plate material can participate in plate making.
The fixing methods of the plate on the drum include: fully adsorbed and middle adsorbed, and fixed with clips at the beginning and end. The full adsorption type has no limit on the size of the plate, while the plate format used in the clip-on type must have a fixed size.
30% of CTP equipment is equipped with a punching device. Generally, the punching process is performed after exposure. This can ensure the precise positioning of the printing plate on the printing press, reduce the pre-press preparation time for adjusting the printing roller, and improve the printing quality and overprinting. , positioning accuracy.
Print size
According to the printing format and equipment requirements, the printing plates used by CTP machines generally include extra large format printing plates with a size of 66*84 inches; large format printing plates with a size of 55*67 inches; medium format printing plates with a size of 41 inches. There are three types of 32 inches and 22 inches; small format printing plates, sizes less than 18 inches. The most commonly used ones now are medium format and small format.
Major equipment suppliers
Most of the suppliers of CTP equipment come from the United States, as well as German and Japanese companies established in the United States. Large-format equipment providers include Agfa, Barco, Creo, Heidelberg, Gerber, ECRM, Optronics, Seth Angel US Prepress Company, American Screen Company, etc.; small and medium-format manufacturers include: PrintWare Company, DuPont Company, etc. Multiple locations. Provide equipment dedicated to newspapers including Creo Company, Krause Company, etc.
Huida Print-All Technology company is an advanced and professional manufacturer of printing plates, mainly selling CTP, CTCP, and PS plates as well as offering ODM/OEMs, especially for the offset. For more information, please click the official website link here: https://www.huidaoffsetplate.com/.