Kodak Thermal Direct plates on duplicators

[pressgeek]

Does anyone here have any feedback from their pressroom when it comes to running Kodak Thermal Direct plates (or Fuji's equivalent processless plate) in a duplicator environment?

I can almost imagine these would work on a large press with longer runs, heavy ink usage, and recirculating dampening systems, but I am worried about hanging 20 or 30 plates a day on a duplicator (Itek 975, AB Dick 360, Heidelberg Printmaster). Typically, our duplicators have run lengths in the range of 50 to 1000, with very little coverage. Consequently they would be stripping off a larger percentage of plate emulsion than a large press, without the benefit of a large press sheet to carry it away.

Kodak claims that the unexposed plate emulsion sticks to the blanket and does not make its way into the water fountain or the ink, just wondering if this is true in practice.

thanks!

[MarkTonk]

Hi pressgeek,

I can not help you with the Kodak or Fuji plates but I have an account running a Suprasetter A52 ATL (Auto Top Loader) imaging our Saphira Chemfree plates to feed four Printmaster 46 and a 6 color Speedmaster 52 presses. With the Saphira Chemfree clean out unit, you do not have to be concerned with developing on press, the plate is protected by the gum and it is not white light sensitive. Do you always run full sheet size? If not, this is also not a problem because the emulsion is cleaned out prior to press.

My client installed late last year so they have a good track record going. If you like, PM me and I will put you in touch with my Sales Rep for this account. He can arrange for you to talk with them. They are locate in the U.S. Where are you located?

Regards,

Mark