Fuji Plates vs. Saphira Plates

[Vee]

I used the Saphira Violet plate for a good 5+ years, and we (prepress & press room) loved the plates.
We ran Fuji's prior to the Saphira, and our pressmen had no complaints when we switched.

[Raymond Ramirez]

May I add 2 cents. We are comparing apples to oranges here. Cost and productivity. In my dealings with plates, The fuji thermal plate with the FLH-Z series processor is hard to beat. The processor always seems to be the issue. Fuji has applied the same technologies in to the interplater series
processor for violet interplater hdx.

The thermal chemical requirement set for replacement at 2000 sqm that is over 2000 40inch plates or 60 days between chemical change is a plus. But again the Z series has allowed customers to have a more "Open Window" in turn this can be a downfall because the customer neglects to inspect and clean before startup daily. Remember CTP stands for Clean The Processor

[steppy]

Currently using Saphira violet plates w/Hberg prosetter. Getting pitch from local dealer to switch to Fuji LP-NV2. We would love to get rid of the purple juice and monthly cleaning that takes 3-5 hours.

The pricing looks attractive and the process much cleaner, (ph adjustment vs. silver recovery and 6 filters). We've been told we would be cleaning processor at 6 week intervals and it would take 30-60 minutes and cost of juice about $0.06/sq. ft vs. $0.35.

Would like to hear some pros and cons before testing the plates on press.

Thanks.

stephen grayman

Boston Print Experts - Braintree Printing

[Raymond Ramirez]

I am glad you are asking first before going forth. First thing is first. You have to vertify the laser diode power to the drum to make sure that the diode is not set to 5mw for the silver halide. since the LPNV needs the 60mw to expose the plate. I think this is just an adjustment. Your unit should have a 60mw in it. I can assit you after you verify your laser power. You can email me at techray1@live.com

[marktonk]

If your Prosetter has a 5mw laser, you will need to upgrade to 30 or 60mw.

Have you considered the following:

Do you have room for larger processor?
Do you know how much water this & all photopolymer plates use?
How many more btu's does the processor output? Did you know it has a preheat you do not have now? This is another processing variable. Do you have adequate AC & humidity?
How much more electricity does it use?
What is the plate requirement for humidity & temp? What is the range you need to maintain?

I would ask about these.

Regards,
Mark

[Raymond Ramirez]

There are alot of veriables as Mark suggested... There are specific lighting requirements also. (I think you may have this covered)

[janezl]

Safelight is not the same. Might need different type of filter. My experience: Saphira violet silver: bright yellow, Fuji LP-NV: dark orange. Had to change filter type.
Janez