Fujifilm sets new plate production standards with enhanced ‘ZAC’ processors

Fujifilm today raises the bar to set new standards in chemistry consumption and maintenance with its multi—award winning*¹ FLH-Z ‘ZAC’ range of processors. Compared to typical processors and finishing units, the FLH-Z ‘ZAC’ processors, part of Fujifilm’s low-chemistry family of solutions, now offer printers unrivalled savings by giving them the ability to develop around 8,000m² of plates with just one replenisher bath.

This improvement means that printers can now achieve the industry’s lowest chemistry consumption figures with a ‘ZAC’ system.  For example, for a printer using around 10,000 m² of plates over a 1-3 month period, chemistry consumption can be reduced to around 216 Litres, a reduction of up to 80% (depending upon existing system used).

The FLH-Z ‘ZAC’ processors have undergone extensive trials, both in-house and with Fujifilm customers, and have successfully demonstrated their ability to process a high volume of plates before cleaning is required. This means that for many printers, it becomes necessary to clean the processor only once every three months, compared to a typical cleaning regime of once every two weeks.

“Fujifilm is continually looking for ways to help its customers to save money and lower their environmental impact, while still maintaining or raising their print quality,” says Sean Lane, product manager for offset solutions at Fujifilm. “The ‘ZAC’ processor helps them to do just that. Due to the fact that the chemistry used is a non-silicate based recipe, a ‘ZAC’ processor can process high volumes of plates without developer sludge and filter blockage occurring.  For example, printers that use 32,000m² of plates per year can easily save over 40 hours of cleaning time during this period.”

In addition, both Brillia HD LH-PJE and HD LH-PLE ‘lo-chem’ plates processed in a ‘ZAC’ processor incorporate an Enhanced Development Layer (EDL) enhancing the solubility of the non-image areas during development, further aiding bath life, giving wider developing latitude and resulting in much cleaner working.  As the chemistry contains no alcohol or solvents, this further enhances the working environment.

Finally, because of the way the ‘ZAC’ processor intelligently controls replenisher delivery, the system is more stable making it much easier to achieve high quality, irrespective of changes to environmental conditions. This is particularly important for demanding FM screening applications.

The FLH-Z ‘ZAC’ processor incorporates unique Fujifilm software to intelligently control the amount of replenisher used in the plate-making process, typically reducing chemistry usage by 75%. Maintaining the ideal developer activity allows bath life to be greatly extended beyond the norm for these systems – partly achieved due to the composition of the processing chemistry.

“With an ever expanding ‘low-chemistry’ family of plate solutions and the ‘ZAC’ processor range, we are demonstrating to customers just how seriously Fujifilm considers the environment when developing its products,” says Sean. “And, with the ‘ZAC’ processor now giving them the ability to develop around 8,000m² of plates with one replenisher bath, we continue to offer printers the opportunity to make huge savings in chemistry, time and money.”

*1         In the 2010 InterTech™ Technology Awards organised by the Printing Industries of America, Fujifilm’s ZAC technology won an award for its control over plate processing resulting in more consistent plates and less money spent on chemicals, as well as reduced chemical waste.  Also, at the fifth-annual Environmental Awards gala hosted by PrintAction magazine in Canada, Fujifilm was presented with a gold awards for the Most Environmentally Progressive Process for the company’s thermal Brillia LH-PJ plate and FLH-Z processor. In addition, a staggering 6 of 9 gold awards handed out in the printing categories went to Fujifilm customers who use the company’s lo-chem Brillia LH-PJ plate and FLH-Z processor.