Monotype Systems

Panther FasTRAK


Monotype Panther FasTRAK CTP System

Figure 1. The Monotype Panther FasTRAK CTP System

Introduction

Monotype's Panther FasTRAK™ Metal Platesetting System images from computer directly to plate for a faster and more economical workflow. The Panther FasTRAK system brings prepress' traditional characteristics of high speed and high quality to a plate recorder designed for rigorous production of aluminum printing plates ranging in sizes from as small as 305mm x 381 mm, to as large as 625mm x 914mm (24.625" x 36").

The Panther FasTRAK system improves productivity by eliminating from the production cycle time-consuming and labor-intensive steps -- enabling you to get work on press quicker. No more need for photomedia output and processing; no more need for manual stripping; no more need for separate platemaking. By going from computer directly to plate, you're on a fast track to the printing press.

By eliminating unnessary production steps, the Panther FasTRAK CTP system also saves you money -- it saves you the cost of expensive equipment, film and other consumables, and labor. At an affordable price, the Panther FasTRAK makes computer-to-plate technology accessible to printers of all sizes.

Bringing field-proven Panther technology to the computer-to-plate arena, Monotype's Panther FasTRAK platesetter is reliable.

For more information, please contact us at (503) 255-5800 or (800) 278-5123.

 

Features

Panther RIP

The Panther FasTRAK platesetter is driven by the Panther RIP, featuring Adobe® PostScript® 3™; it is available for Power Macintosh or Windows NT PC workstations. Monotype prepress engineers started from a foundation of experience in PostScript processing, imaging optics, and laser recording engines to develop the Panther FasTRAK platesetter system so that it can meet your deadlines -- plate after plate. Alternatively, the Panther FasTRAK can be driven by PrintExpress or RipExpress.

Eight (8) Standard Resolutions

The Panther FasTRAK platesetter features eight (8) standard resolutions from 400 to 1000 dpcm (1016 to 2540 dpi) with imaging speeds as fast as 57 secons for the largest size plates. Various processors output directly to the Panther FasTRAK platesetter for online operation.

Plate-loading Options

The Panther FasTRAK CTP system offers a choice of plate-loading options. For maximum efficiency, a fully automatic plate-loading option with a capacity of up to 350 plates is available. Semi-automatic plate loading is also supported in both safelight and roomlight environments. Plate-loading/uploading time typically overlaps other recorder functions, adding no additional throughput time.

Modular Architecture

The Panther FasTRAK family of products is modular, allowing you to configure a system for your exact application, and stay within your budget. Related products include the Panther RIP and the ESCOR III™ ESCOR-FM™ Screening; the Panther OPI; the Panther Compression Option.

Specifications

For detailed specifications, please see the White Paper (in PDF format).

For more information, please contact us at (503) 255-5800 or (800) 278-5123.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

____________________________

Paper Cutters and Guillotines

Itoh Paper Cutters

LDR International is the North American distributor for Japanese-manufactured Itoh Paper Cutters. Itoh Paper cutters are by far the best manufactured paper cutters on the market for professional printers and bindery shops. Itoh paper cutters can cut not only paper, but also PS plate, plastic sheet, aluminum board, laminated board, and more. Itoh can provide a customized guillotine to automatically cut the material at irregular angles (trapezoid). Besides paper cutters, Itoh also manufactures loaders, front-loading and side-loading machines, unloaders, and computerized knife trimmers. Whatever your bindery equipment needs for cutting or cutting systems, Itoh has it. And LDR International has Itoh.

Examples of industrial strength finishing and binding machines: Itoh paper cutting machines include the eRC-DX (Robocut Series) of paper cutters featuring a TFT 8.4 inch LCD interactive display screen. This cutter, of paper, is CIP4-compatible. THe Itoh eRC-DX series of computerized paper cutters are an innovation ahead of their time in the print workflow industry for today and the near future. Another example of fine Itoh paper cutter is the RC-DX (Robocut) Series which comes in 4 sizes: 40-1/2 inches, 46 inches, 54 inches, and 63 inches. THe RM-DX (Robocut Monitor) for Paper cutters is comes with a built-in color compouter monitor for easier more accurate operation. The Ioth RU 4.0 and 4.1 Series of unloaders are not paper cutters, but they are unloaders and they are compact, highly efficient unloaders designed to stack up paper sheets on a pallet.

Folders, Pharmaceutical folding machines, Miniature folders

Shoei Fully Automated Folding Machines

Shoei folders are a winning combination of the best computer technology and automation and folding machine technology in the world. With Shoei-computer assisted folding machines each measurement is automatically taken in seconds to minimize set up time. This increases folding productivity immensely. Shoei folders and pharmaceutical folding machines can easily and quickly adapt to short run jobs, jobs with diversified operations, without stopping. The computer controlled miniature folding system can be installed into any Shoeil folding machine regardless of the number of fold plates or size of the machine. No manual changeover is required for pharmaceutical folders by Shoei, nor any manual setting for the mini folding machines.

Miniature Folding Machines

THe SM40 is a miniature folder that is ideal for folding B3 size stock, extra small folds, and for taking pharmaceutical and cosmetic package inserts. The SPT52-4KTT is a compact, computer assisted folder that is fully automatic (automated); a one-piece folder ideal for shops with limited space. It includes automatic size adjustment control and automatic roll pressure adjustment controls on the miniature folding machine. the SRT 74-6/4/4 is a multifunctional computer assisted 6-plate map folder with round feeder. It is Shoei's latest computer assisted miniature folder featuring a round feeder and it can use plates 74 cm maximum in width for a 6/4 map folding.

Joggers and Jogging Systems

Kudo MJ-45 Ace Jogger

LDR International is the North American distributor for Japanese-manufactured Itoh Paper Cutters. Itoh Paper cutters are by far the best manufactured paper cutters on the market for professional printers and bindery shops. Itoh paper cutters can cut not only paper, but also PS plate, plastic sheet, aluminum board, laminated board, and more. Itoh can provide a customized guillotine to automatically cut the material at irregular angles (trapezoid). Besides paper cutters, Itoh also manufactures loaders, front-loading and side-loading machines, unloaders, and computerized knife trimmers. Whatever your bindery equipment needs for cutting or cutting systems, Itoh has it. And LDR International has Itoh.

Kudo joggers, Shoei folding machines, Itoh paper cutters

LDR International is the oldest division of one-time Portland, Oregon-based Litho Development and Research. LDR International offers quality hardware for paper handling and finishing. LDR International is the exclusive North American importer and distributor of Itoh paper cutters, Kudo joggers, and Shoei folding machines. There products are distributed through a dealer network (#1 Network) and LDR's eight West Coast branches.

Electronic Prepress: LDR's electronic prepress technology is second to none for printing and print shops

We provide cost-effective electronic prepress and prepess solutions

Our electronic prepress solutions include front-end workstations, OPI file servers, and prepress and pre-flight software, as well as scanners, copy dot scanners, imagesetters (such as those by ECRM, Monotype, and Screen, and Purup-Escofot), platesetters, computer-to-plate systems, proofing and wide-format plotters such as the Epson Stylus Pro 9000, and film processors. We provide service on our electronic prepress equipment, and prepress training.

Other electronic prepress solutions we provide

Other of our electronic prepress solutions -- hardware and software -- include Fusion DFE digital workflow solution (PostScript imaging out to proofers, plotters, platesetters, and imagesetters), Xinet FullPress OPI workflow, file sharing, cross platform communications, Harlequin ICC profile processor and full color maanagement (HFCS) and Scriptworks RIP system; Also Flashnet and Webnative for backups across the network, various SGI (silicon graphics inc) server configurations including DLT jukeboxes, RAIDs, switches, battery and UPS backup systems. Various Screen boxes (filmsetters and film image plate setters). Now that's electronic prepress for you! Professional, commercial duty.

Computer to Plate: LDR is the premium provider of Computer-To-Plate (CTP) Technology to the graphic arts industry

What does Computer to Plate (CTP) mean?

Computer to plate means that your computer to plate digital computer to plate files transfer directly to computer-to-plate aluminum plate at 2400 dpi or more or less (depending on the computer to plate CTP equipment you use). Computer to plate means you get to computer to plate press faster. You don't need to use non (CTP) computer to plate cameras nor non computer-to-plate (CTP) stripping work.

Direct to Plate is another word for Computer to Plate: LDR offers direct to plate technology.

Direct-to-plate printing, also known as computer-to-plate printing, cuts out one of the steps involved in traditional printing. Traditional printing, aka offset lithography printing, produces film on an imagesetter. A metal plate (imagesetting plate) is made from that film.

Computer-to-Plate Experts: LDR International

It means no longer waiting for non computer to plate film in order to see computer to plate proofs. With computer to plate (CTP) technology, your computer-to-plate edits, computer-to-plate updates, (CTP) computer-to-plate reprints are effected with ease and speed compare to non computer to plate technology and non computer to plate processes as are the norm in pre computer to plate days and pre computer to plate converted printing shops. Computer to plate means computer to plate speed, CTP cost effectiveness and computer-to-plate accuracy. What are you waiting for? Get computer to plate technology now.

Electronic publishing and consumables experts: LDR International

LDR International is a leading value-added source of electronic publishing solutions, equipment, and consumables for the graphic arts industry. For 37 years now, LDR International has been serving the graphics art sector with such products and services as presses, bindery equipment, consumables, inventory management, and environmental chemical compliance solutions (chemistries). LDR provides products, services, and solutions to the graphic arts and printing industry both nationally and internationally. Indeed, LDR is the largest graphic arts distributor on the West Coast of the United States.