DIGITAL PLATES -- Shortcutting the Process

Agfa Corp. is pursuing a non-ablative alternative, but its solution differs from the common form of switchable polymer technology, points out David Furman, senior marketing manager, CTP Systems, at the Ridgefield Park, NJ-based manufacturer. The company is developing "latex coalescence" technology.

"Our technology is a true lithographic coating," Furman explains. "The image area remains on a grained and anodized aluminum substrate, which acts as the hydrophilic medium."