Digital Patesetters--Shopping the Output Odyssey

The Panther FasTRAK metal platesetting system from PrePRESS Solutions is designed for rigorous production of aluminum printing plates from sizes as small as 12x15˝ up to 24.6x36˝. Currently the unit is registering dozens of installations worldwide, in commercial printing plants and newspapers.

At Optronics, platesetting attention remains focused on Aurora technology and the ALS external-drum digital platesetter, which features argon ion or optical YAG laser. They are capable of imaging plates as large as 35.4x44.5˝ at resolutions from 1,000 dpi to 4,000 dpi. ALS provides automatic loading and unloading. All feature Optronics' Color Production System (CPS), an integrated set of software and hardware to maximize plate output.