Computer to
Plate (CTP) is a process of digital plate imaging. The
advantage of CTP is that it uses digital working proceed, directly digitize
graphics and images, and then generate plate graphics and texts through the
printer, which saves the process of film production, manual assembly and re
printing of traditional image setter, greatly improves work efficiency and
accuracy, and effectively reduces the uncontrollability of human and human
operation.
CTP equipment does bring unlimited
convenience to the plate making workshop, but at the same time, we should also
pay attention to the corresponding problems.
Software: lack of uniform specification
At present, there is no unified
specification for CTP process software. The China Printing company has chosen ElecRoc
and Trueflow. The data flow format adopts 1-bit TIFF. However, when using PS, after
installation, there have been problems such as text scrambling, white line and
abnormal transparency.
In terms of the efficiency improvement of
rip, the author has tested a sleeve file with a lot of nodes. The rip time of
version 4.6 is 54 minutes, and that of version 5.1 is 8 minutes, which is
nearly 7 times higher. The average rip time of regular files is more than 30%.
The updated RIP software significantly improves the speed and accuracy of the
dot matrix, and reduces the waiting time of CTP and the possible machine
version.
However, if a unified specification can be
established in terms of software, it is believed that the future of CTP will be
strengthened.
Hardware: pay attention to equipment maintenance
In terms of hardware, that is important for book printers
China, for two aspects. The first is the environment of CTP plate
making workshop, including temperature and humidity control, dust prevention,
pest control, light avoidance, etc. Among them, temperature is the most
important factor. In winter and summer, the temperature difference is large,
and in rainy season, the humidity explodes. A constant temperature and humidity
environment can avoid many abnormal problems. Relevant workshops can be
equipped with additional equipment, such as air conditioning, humidifier,
sunscreen curtain, rat proof board, rat repeller, etc.
In terms of equipment maintenance, the
computer, server, plate printer, plate making machine and supporting ups and
chiller need to be maintained. The maintenance items shall be made into a
volume, which shall be divided into days, weeks, half months, months, quarters,
half years and years according to the cycle. The captain of CTP is required to
execute and register strictly according to the maintenance list items, the
supervisor shall review regularly, and then the Audit Department of the company
shall arrange irregular audit, so as to effectively maintain and maintain CTP
equipment.
At the same time, in addition to routine
maintenance, the plate machine also needs to regularly check the wear of each
gear, shaft sleeve, rubber roller, chain tightness, water-cooling liquid level,
etc. In addition, because the cots of the development tank are in the soaking
state for a long time, it is necessary to make regular adjustment to ensure the
elasticity.
