Agfa Xcalibur 45E & 50

[miskozim]

Hello again,
I need information on Agfa Xcalibur 45E and Xcalibur 50 VLF machines. I know they are thermal and use GVL laser technology. Anybody out there has any experiance with any of these? Does anybody know what GVL stands for?
Thanks,
Misko

[steveagfa]

Misko:

I suspect you are inquiring about some used Agfa gear. The successor
to the :Xcalibur line is the :Avalon. The early :Xcalibur VLFs had fibre-
coupled heads, akin to the early Lotems. Now, they should all/most be
upgraded to the current GLV design; all X45s/Avalons are GLV as well.

GLV stands for Grating Light Valve - the modulator we use from Silicon Light Machines. Here is a site for further edification...

http://www.siliconlight.com/htmlpgs/...nframeset.html

I hope this helps,

[miskozim]

You ar right Steve. I am looking into some used Xcaliburs. I am negotiating purchase of Xcalibur 45 E but at the sime time looking at Xcalibur VLF, 50". I don't need this size but it is very inexpensive. Would it make sense to buy it and use it for smaller plates?
Does Agfa still support these machines, if I need service and spare parts?
Regards,
Misko

[steveagfa]

Misko -

Of course Agfa still supports Xcaliburs...
They were made in our manufacturing
facility in Wilmington, MA - USA.

Double-check the imaging head on the VLF.;
I suspect you would want the GLV version.

Regards,

[miskozim]

Steve,
Fellow that sells this machine does not know about the type of laser. However, he has given me this information.
Agfa Agfa Xcaliber50 VLF
s/n 221
XT Model
May 2002
Would you be able to tell if this machine has GLV laser head?
He doesn't have the RIP. Would Agfa supply the RIP only?
Misko

[steveagfa]

Misko -

You might want to check with your local Agfa agent -
who can better determine if that unit has been upgraded
to the more recent GLV design. And yes, Agfa sell a RIP only.

Regards,

[TigerPress]

I would not recomend buying an X45 any any price. They are junk, a complete lemon. The avalon units are much better, but are still not able to print stocastic.

If you do decide to buy an Avalon, I would recommend the Azura or Amigo plates. They are the only negative working plates qualified for this machine that I know of. We had many problems with positive working plates on this machine.

I would also highly recommend the internal punch. The registration is not perfect, but is much better than hand punching

[JeanVisser]

I have been using an Xcalibur 45 now for 3 years, it has a weakness with the plate clamps and plate jams are common, rather go for the Avalon if you can.