Kodak has installed the world’s largest CTP system at WKS Group in Essen Germany.
The company has equipped its fits Magnus Q4800 Platesetter with an XPL pallet loading system with four pallet stations for four different plate formats. At almost 19 metres long and 3.5 metres, it takes the prize as the world’s largest CTP system.
WKS Group, a leading print and media service providers in Europe’s German-speaking countries, comprises nine companies at six sites across Germany. Its production facilities enable printing projects fom print runs of one to enormous quantities in the high volume segment. The company provides web,and sheetfed offset as well as digital printing and finishing. In addition, it offers fulfillment and cross-media expertise.
The fully automatic Magnus Q4800 Platesetter went into operation at WKS Group’s web offset site in December 2021. Before that, the Kodak team had to overcome daunting logistical challenges for a CTP project. It shipped 15 large crates by truck from its CTP development and production center in Vancouver, Canada, to Chicago. The journey continued by air to Frankfurt, Germany. Subsequently, they travelled to the WKS Group’s Essen facility on four semitrailers. On arrival, the team used a crane to lift the crates 16 metres to the fourth floor for installation.
High volume production
The Magnus Q4800 Platesetter supports plate sizes up to 2.86 metres wide. It uses Kodak Squarespot imaging technology for stability, accuracy, and reliability. WKS Group’s Magnus Q4800 configuration fully automatic XLF plate loading from four pallets. With up to 4,800 plates online, it enables over 10,000 square metres of plates to run before reloading.
Frank Döding, business and operations manager at WKS Group’s Essen site, says, “The investment in such a huge CTP equipment configuration makes sense because it perfectly meets the current and future requirements of our Essen high volume production site in terms of plate sizes, throughput and fully automated operation.
“The Magnus Q4800 Platesetter places the plate imaging capability for our web offset presses on a new technological foundation. It allows us to switch from UV to thermal plate imaging. Furthermore, it gives us the much higher plate making capacity we need. We are delighted that Kodak installed our new CTP solution on schedule. All this during the continued difficult situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Giuliano Bianchet, vice president sales EAMER, Kodak, says, “We are extremely pleased with the successful completion of this pioneering installation. The Magnus Q4800 Platesetter will open up new dimensions for the WKS Group in terms of XLF plate imaging quality, automation and productivity.
“The new Magnus Q4800 Platesetter is further proof that Kodak is investing heavily in advancing prepress and print technology. As a result we can meet our customers’ needs to drive productivity, cost effectiveness and growth as the industry evolves.”
