Readme Application Tool CtP-Plate

Versions ........................................................................................................................................................ 2
Document version ..................................................................................................................................... 2
Application tool release history ............................................................................................................... 2
Intention of this tool ...................................................................................................................................... 2
URL location ................................................................................................................................................. 2
How to get access .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Feedback ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Logon is mandatory .................................................................................................................................. 4
Internet Explorer browser auto login .................................................................................................... 5
What is supported.......................................................................................................................................... 6
As from release 2.0 ................................................................................................................................... 6
What is not supported ................................................................................................................................... 8
Dual plate loading ..................................................................................................................................... 8
CtP loading automation............................................................................................................................. 8
Used Terminology......................................................................................................................................... 9
CtP............................................................................................................................................................. 9
Hardware definition .............................................................................................................................. 9
Exposure Capability ............................................................................................................................ 10
Plate Size Support ............................................................................................................................... 10
Productivity ......................................................................................................................................... 11
Plate......................................................................................................................................................... 11
Plate Selection ..................................................................................................................................... 11
Combination of CtP and Plate................................................................................................................. 12
Release conditions............................................................................................................................... 12
Standard Exposure .............................................................................................................................. 12
Standard Productivity.......................................................................................................................... 13
Screening Release ............................................................................................................................... 13
Comments / Advisories ....................................................................................................................... 13
Known Issues .............................................................................................................................................. 14
Rounding errors....................................................................................................................................... 14
IPad specific ............................................................................................................................................ 14
Settings to be respected ....................................................................................................................... 14
PC specific .............................................................................................................................................. 14
Supported browsers ............................................................................................................................. 14
Issue with IE9: Dropdown lists do not appear................................................................................. 15
You do not see the last version of the program....................................................................................... 15
Solution on iPad .................................................................................................................................. 15
Solution on IE 8 on PC ....................................................................................................................... 15
Versions
Document version
v1 2013-04-14 First version
v2 2013-05-03 Added info on Internet Explorer 6
v3 2013-05-23 Added info on Agfa Intranet page
Added issue with IE9
v4 2013-08-30 Added terminology explanation
v5 2013-11-14 Added info on iPad settings
Release of software version 2.0

Application tool release history

Software Version Release Date Improvements
1.0.5 2013-04-14
- Digiwedges are shown in the interface
- Link to the Working instructions in the Plate view
2.0.0 2013-11-14 - Link to the Setup procedures in the System view
- Tooltips

Intention of this tool

The tool will help technical and sales people to find the correct information on
Technical information on CtP (Agfa and competition)
Technical information on Plate (Agfa and competition)
Release information on combinations of CtP and Plate (Agfa and competition)

URL location
To access the tool, enter this URL in your browser.
https://agfagraphics.agfa.net/AppToolCtPPlate/index.jsp

Note: The URL is case sensitive.

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The URL is also published on the Agfa Intranet page

How to get access

Access to the tool will be granted via UAT.
This procedure is not yet in place, therefore send a mail to PlateSystemSupport@agfa.com to request
access.

Feedback
Use the Help / Contact button and send a mail with your feedback

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Logon is mandatory
Use your Windows logon and password

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Internet Explorer browser auto login
When this is enabled, you do not need to logon manually.
This can be set in the Tools / Internet Options

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What is supported
As from release 2.0
Digiwedges:

Link to Setup documents (published on the Graphics Library)

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Link to the Working instructions (published on the Graphics Library)

Tooltips:
Tooltips explain more on the selected field
On tablet: keep your finger on the field description
On PC: move over the field description until you see a ? and then keep mouse button pressed

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What is not supported
Dual plate loading

CtP loading automation

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Used Terminology
CtP
Hardware definition
Head Name: Refers to a generic description of the imaging technology. Every platform has a unique
name in the database, indicating the basic properties. PSA defines the identification for
Agfa-badged engines, 3rd party suppliers use their own conventions. We inventory all
unique designs for this list
Sales Status: Equipment sales status, typically Active or Legacy (not presently sold). Early entries for a
new CtP device can be listed as Field Test or In Development
Dedic Head Release: Identifies a specific head release for dedicated applications, such as Thermofuse, HDi,
4000dpi applications, etc.
Recording Heads: The number of discrete recording heads in the device. Engines can use single head
configurations, some dual plate VLF use two heads some technologies like HDM
Suprasetter and Panasonic GX use multiple banks of head assemblies, tuned to thruput rate
requirements
Default Address: System default recording address (dpi base design) - There can be multiple addresses
supported in some engines, single resolutions in others. Most performance specifications
are tied to the default address
Optical Address: Recording address based on nominal fast-axis spotsize, not pixel grid. Slow-axis spotsize
by definition needs to closely match the address grid. Higher fast-axis address values
typically mean improved resolution and wider operating latitude
Multi-Res Options: Many engines have multiple resolution options, but this can get complicated. Changing the
device address (dpi) is typically simple to do, altering drum carriage speed, but that does
not always mean the spotsize is changed to match the new address both options can be
found in practice. In these cases, lower addresses mean faster plate thruput capability, high
addresses reduce thruput. Also, common for lightvalve imagers, shifting between 2400dpi
and 1200dpi means pixel replication in order words the writing pixels are electronically
doubled, with no change in actual writing spotsize or plate thruput rate (marked as PR)
Writing chnls active: Always equal to or less than the design writing channels for a specific engine
configuration, this is the channel count used in the imaging process. Fine mode is an
example of using fewer writing channels, but there are also a number of Kodak engines
that use reduced writing channel counts to modify image quality or control plate thruput
rate
Fine mode channels Fine Mode (Writing 1/2 swath) - service defines block Improved plate quality (banding),
but decreased thruput (pph) not all engine platforms allow this functionality
Address Pitch: The pixel grid cell width of the device default address (in microns)
Swath Width: The length of the active writing swath in mm, depending on the engine configuration,
either using the active writing channels, or active channels-1 (forced edge overlap or escan
function)
Autofocus Capability Description of focus tacking accuracy designs can be mechanically profile mapping, pre-
programmed focus motor stepping, or dynamic (active feedback) tracking - or not available

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Exposure Capability

Minimum headpower: Minimum (stable) Head Power AT THE IMAGE PLANE, swath uniformity calibrated.
Each head technology has its own lower limit for lasing, dependent on the ramp slope for
the drive current / optical output power curve
Maximum headpower: Max Head Power AT THE IMAGE PLANE, value released for standard use by the
equipment supplier. This is NOT the total laser diode/bar power. For example, the
description of a Creo head being 40w is worthless 40w refers to the laser bar output
power capacity - there are several different releases on this head for actual image plane
power ranging from 15.8 -23.0 watts depending on the product configuration
Min Drum Speed: Minimum operating drum speed allowed by the engine, specified by equipment supplier
Max Drum Speed: Maximum operating drum speed allowed by the engine, specified by equipment supplier
the upper limit is typically governed by mechanical stability (vibration, pixel clock
consistency) or recording head modulation rate limitations
Pixel Dwell Time: Exposure time (microseconds) for 1 pixel imaging at the defined recording address at
maximum allowed drum speed
Energy@Max P/RPM: Exposure energy at 100% image plane power and maximum drum speed the transition
point between [variable power / constant drum speed] to [constant power / variable drum
speed]. This is the maximum exposure capacity of the engine at the full plate thruput rate
used in published performance specifications

Messages
H/W Advisory 1: Contains specific support information, such as Thermofuse limitations / dongle thruput
shifts
H/W Advisory 2: Contains potential performance issue warnings, such as head contrast ratio, swath banding
susceptibility
Options Code Identification of special options or unique performance aspects

Plate Size Support

Max Plate Width: Maximum plate size supported by the engine/automation down the carriage movement
direction (slowscan size)
Max Plate Height: Maximum plate size supported by the engine/automation wrapping around the drum
(fastscan size)
Ref Plate Width: Productivity specification plate width (reference slowscan size)
Ref Plate Height: Productivity specification plate height (reference fastscan size)
Min Plate Width: Minimum plate size supported by the engine/automation wrapping around the drum
(slowscan size)
Min Plate Height: Minimum plate size supported by the engine/automation wrapping around the drum
(fastscan size)
Small plate kit width : Typically a special factory order - sub-2up plate size support in an 8up engine
Small plate kit height: Typically a special factory order - sub-2up plate size support in an 8up engine
Gauge Supp Window: Availability defined by slot : | 0.15 | 0.20 | 0.24 | 0.30 | 0.40 | mm. Data can be Y, N, O
(mfg option)
Dual Plate Capable: For VLF engines, is there a dual plate imaging/transport option available

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Productivity

PPH Dev MAX Spec: The maximum PPH spec published by Supplier Marketing - independent of plate
sensitivity and engine/system options
PPH Min Value: Minimum thruput (pph) for this engine in normal operating mode (full-swath, plate
independent) - calculation reflects grouped configuration options that reduce productivity
(pph) high-end performance
PPH Max Value: Maximum thruput (pph) for this engine in normal operating mode (full-swath, plate
independent) - calculation eliminates all configuration options that can reduce productivity
(pph) low-end performance
PPH Max FineMode Maximum PPH for engine FINEMODE Half-normal writing swath, reduced PPH will
result
PPH Min Finemode Minimum PPH for engine FINEMODE Half-normal writing swath, reduced PPH will
result
Pipeline Limit PPH: Fastest PPH value through the CtP system (small plate sizes) - Load/unload process hand-
off limit point (no plate size or operating conditions can run faster than this limit)
Thruput Control : Thruput rate modification control - Open (No limit), dongle controlled, RPM/license
limited
Side-Edge Detect : Side edge detect is standard for 3point plate-set registration (implementation can effect
thruput)
Press Punch Support: Press punches (and internal registration to punch notches) is available, registration
(implementation can effect thruput)

Plate
Plate Selection
Sales Availability:
Technology
Status
Imaging Polarity
Min RE All Platforms
Max RE All Platforms
Coating Color
Coating Gloss
KV Ablation Rate
Particulate Release Threshold
Critical Exp Limit (ACS)
PSA Ablation Rate
Consumable product sales availability, typically worldwide or regional
Plate platform technology description
Consumable platform released or in field test
Negative or Positive - Write the print image (NEG) or write the background (POS)
Minimum expected (normal conditions) exposure for system - out of spec
conditions may require working outside range
Maximum expected (normal conditions) exposure for system - out of spec
conditions may require working outside range
Plate color description - to visually identify plate - also to determine possible edge
detect and sensor tuning requirements for local equipment service
Visual reflectivity - gloss / semi-gloss / matte - also to determine possible edge
detect / transport sensor tuning requirements for local equipment service
Ablation rate (gravimetric, mg/m2 imaged) at RE - external test data
Exposure (mJ/cm) where particles start to be released from plate - verified by
particle counter measurement thru exposure
Exposure where ablation particle count rate increases ACS mandate decision
point for sensitive recording head configurations
Ablation Rate (gravimetric, mg/m2 imaged) at RE - Agfa PSA WIM test data (or
equivalent)

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Ablation Dust Retention Is the ablation dust retained, sticking to the plate surface, or is it ejected into the
environment

Combination of CtP and Plate

Release conditions

Accreditation Owner: Top-level Driver for Release with validation responsibility - Agfa HQ or Agfa Local /
Agfa or 3rd party
Accreditation Status: Is the system fully released with official customer support? Are there any limitations
/ restrictions to review ?
System Released ?: PSA "Official" statement on System release agreement of plate and engine responsible
partners
Automation support: Automation platforms supported in this release There is a different configuration list for
each supplier
APL option release : APL = Automatic Pallet Loader release, but not available in all device families
Standard Imaging Rel: The standard screening type/frequency release level for Agfa screening and 3rd party
equivalent
High Frq Screen Sprt: Is system qualified for screen frequencies above 250LPI ? Qualification required for high
frequency Sublima or stochastic screening
ACS Requirement: Is ablation control required for this system? If YES, what h/w system for a given
productivity (m2/year) ?
Head Sealing Status: Well sealed recording heads reduce ACS requirements - Description of this system for
ACS requirement interpretation

Standard Exposure
Target RE Energy:
Avalon OCT Exposure:
Power for plate:
Power/channel for plate:
% Max Power:
Drum Speed for plate:
PIxel Dwell Time:
RE Validation:
Target RE (mJ/cm) is the nominal exposure for the system this a center-point
value, determined by PSA HQ. We do not do separate releases based on plate
production site. For positive plates, RE is always linked to specific post-
processing conditions. For Thermofuse, it is linked to supported printing press
applications and press consumables
Avalon Legacy engines (LF and VLF, also Xcalibur series) use a mapped exposure
parameter, in diagnostics and engine OCT (Operator Control Terminal) - direct
access to power and drum rpm not possible, outside of unidiag software
Total Head Power (integrated across the swath), measured AT THE IMAGE
PLANE, after swath uniformity calibration, that is required to achieve the plate
optimum exposure (RE) for this system
Power/channel, measured AT THE IMAGE PLANE, after swath uniformity
calibration, that is required to achieve the plate optimum exposure (RE) for this
system
Percent of the total head power, measured AT THE IMAGE PLANE, after swath
uniformity calibration, that is required to achieve the plate optimum exposure (RE)
for this system
Drum speed required for plate exposure to nominal RE
Exposure time (microseconds) for 1 pixel (default dpi) for plate selected at the
operating drum speed (rpm)
RE value is a mutual decision Equipment/Media Owners - this is the Agfa CWID
of the person making the database entry

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Digital Exposure Wedge: Release of a digital wedge is recommended for exposure fine-tuning - start with
nominal setup, then tune accordingly

Standard Productivity
Average Thruput: Min and Max Average (engine-plate) PPH in Normal Mode (for final customer
discussions)
PPH Min for Plate: Minimum thruput rate (pph) for this plate in this engine - calculation reflects grouped
configurations that reduce pph
PPH Max for Plate: Maximum thruput rate (pph) for this plate in this engine - calculation eliminates all
configurations that can reduce pph
PPH Max Plate FM Fine Mode (Writing 1/2 swath) maximum possible thruput - reduced PPH from normal
mode
PPH Min Plate FM Fine Mode (Writing 1/2 swath) minimum thruput - reduced PPH from normal mode
Average Thruput FM Min and Max Average (engine-plate) PPH in Fine Mode (for final customer discussions)

Screening Release
Max Agfa ABS Release:
Max Agfa XM Release:
Max Agfa Sublima Release:
Opt Sublima Pixel Matrix:
Opt XM Pixel Matrix:
Max HDi Sublima Release:
Max Traditional Release:
Kodak Staccato Release:
Stochastic 2x2 Release:
Stochastic 3x2 Release:
Stochastic 3x3 Release:
Maximum Concent Release:
Other 3rd party Screening:
Banding sensitivity:
Frequency (LPI) of maximum ABS screening release
Maximum XM Screening release frequency
Maximum Sublima screen frequency release - can be different between standard
and HDi/Elite heads
Recommended (optimum) minimum pixel matrix / highlight and shadow dots -
based on the resolution/linearity capability of the system
Recommended (optimum) minimum pixel matrix / highlight and shadow dots -
based on the resolution/linearity capability of the system
Maximum Sublima screen frequency released in HDi config
Maximum Traditional (not ABS technology) screening frequency release - Will be
different between standard and HDi/Elite heads
Available Staccato (stochastic) release accredited by Kodak in their engine
assortment levels can be different between Standard and Quantum engines
Agfa Cristal Raster 2x2 pixel based stochastic screen - Present release is ACR21
Agfa Cristal Raster 2x3 pixel based stochastic screen - Present offering is ACR25
Agfa Cristal Raster 3x3 pixel based stochastic screen - Present offering is ACR31
Vendor and product name for concentric release - 3rd party screening - typically
requires HDi/Elite recording head option
Additional 3rd party screening support Indicated by supplier name, product,
technology and frequency
Specific warnings and workarounds for swath banding important for
Thermofuse-specific interactions

Comments / Advisories
Advisory 1 and 2: Text fields with information to improve install success rate and longer term
performance
Sensor Detection Comments: Warning that transport sensors may require adjustment - Refer to plate installation
process / setup procedure
Performance Comment (Head): Warning of head-specific quality or performance issue when combined with this
plate technology

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Known Issues
Rounding errors
Because a lot of very complex calculation algorithms are used, it is possible that certain fields can differ
with maximum 1 digit.
This does not mean that the value is wrong.

IPad specific
Settings to be respected
Private Browsing should be OFF
Accept Cookies should be on

PC specific
Supported browsers
Minimum Internet Explorer 8 (Standard browser within Agfa Graphics)
Most other browsers will work but in case of problems, Agfa does not support.

If you still have Internet Explorer 6 installed on your PC, create an IT support ticket to upgrade to IE8

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Issue with IE9: Dropdown lists do not appear
Some people experience problems with IE9 where the selection menus do not appear
We are currently investigating what is the cause (ICSNTA-63)

There is a workaround to solve to solve the problem:

Open Internet Explorer
Press F12, this will open a window: Developer Tools
From the menu Document Mode, select Internet Explorer 8 standards
Close the window

You do not see the last version of the program

You need to delete the cookies and stored information

Solution on iPad
Configuration / Safari / Clear cookies and data

Solution on IE 8 on PC
Tools / Internet Options / General / Delete temporary files
Uncheck this setting

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