At drupa 2016, CRON Highlights Two New 'Emerald' Plate Technologies

The new “Emerald” plates, sold under the Blackwood brand, are designed to improve efficiency and profitability.

DÜSSELDORF, Germany — June 3, 2016 — CRON is adding two new plates to its portfolio at drupa. They are the result of continued investment in plate production which saw two new production lines opened in 2015. The new plates, sold under the Blackwood brand, are designed to not only improve efficiency but also enhance profitability, whilst enabling a higher level of environmental responsibility.

New – Emerald-UV low chemistry plate

The new Blackwood Emerald UV plate is unique. It minimizes the consumption of chemicals and water for UV exposed plates. With a simple ‘wash out’ bath, plates are press ready in seconds and exhibit perfect dot reproduction from 1-98% for either stochastic screening (20 micron) or conventional screening up to 200 dpi. Run length is up to 50,000 impressions without baking (20,000 for UV ink).

The new "Emerald" plate range represents CRON's continued drive towards offset efficiencies and environmental responsibility.

The developing solution of the ‘wash out’ bath is non-toxic and non-corrosive. The plate will be available in the second half of 2016.

New – Emerald-TP process-less thermal plate

The new Blackwood Emerald-TP thermal plate is compatible with all thermal platesetters and requires no processing or post-image washout. Mounted directly on the press after imaging, it delivers exceptional printing characteristics with a tonal range of 1-99% in both conventional (200 dpi) and stochastic screening (20 micron), fast run up, minimum dampening solution and low carbon footprint. Run length is up to 150,000 impressions without baking. The plate will be available in the early part of 2017.

“CRON’s investment in plate technologies is intended to position us as one of the foremost suppliers in the world,” says Mike Xiang, CEO and Founder. Using the latest technology from Germany, we now runs two parallel lines which incorporate stringent data collection and management control systems to monitor a multitude of plate production characteristics. With samples taken for imaging tests every ten minutes and an automatic rejection system for defects, customers can be sure of ultimate quality and reliability from all of our Blackwood range of plates.”

Technical information at a glance

About CRON
Since its founding in 1992, CRON has set its sights on redefining the direction of conventional offset print. Starting with imagesetting and moving to CTP, the company now provides a portfolio of integrated digital prepress technologies that improves the quality and efficiency of print workflows while reducing turnaround times and costs, as well as the point at which print runs become profitable. Today, CRON has four major strands to its business:

• Advanced CTP solutions for both UV, thermal and flexo plate exposure.
• Precision offset plates for UV and thermal exposure sold under the Blackwood brand.
• Integrated prepress peripherals – workflow software, autoloaders, bridges, processors, punch systems, delivery conveyors and color measurement ancillaries.
• Precision Inker and instruments to further improve the efficiency and financial rewards of the offset printing process.

Together these products not only streamline the platemaking process but also provide measurement and control of the final printed products.

Source: CRON.