Agfa Launches Clean-out Unit for its Chem-free Plates

Agfa Graphics has introduced the VXCF dedicated clean-out unit (COU) for its chem-free N92-VCF violet digital plate.

With the new COU, throughput of the N92-VCF can exceed 300 plates/hour, according to Agfa Graphics. In addition to gains in speed and productivity, the VXCF COU offers lower maintenance with less down time, creates 40% less waste, and uses a pH neutral gum.

The company says that a complete setup requires 20% less energy to run and takes up 20% less floor space than conventional photopolymer applications.

When less chemistry, less water, less disposal and less maintenance are all accounted for, "we have experienced a cost reduction between 20% and 25% using Agfa's chem-free plates." Paul Huybrechts, managing director at Belgium's Coldset Printing Partners, said in a statement.