Developed for the unique requirements of flexographic converters and trade shops, the ThermoFlex^® flexographic CTP solution advances the quality of flexographic printing, reduces cycle times and improves process control by eliminating variability in the jobflow. ThermoFlex CTP devices bring the benefits of digital platemaking to flexography, enabling a consistent, controlled, digital manufacturing process and higher quality printing.

The combination of advanced Kodak thermal imaging technology and reliable machine architecture make the ThermoFlex the most productive flexographic CTP system in the industry. The ThermoFlex images with a wide swath, achieving fast imaging speeds without the need to spin the imaging drum at very high RPMs. There are significant benefits of slow drum-rotation speed:

• Increased process control: Slow drum rotation prevents vibration and balance problems and such resulting issues as print artifacts, plate fly-off and reduced imaging consistency.
• Consistent imaging time between plates of different thicknesses: Platemaking productivity is not sacrificed on thicker flexographic plates.
• Increased productivity: Unlike competitor systems, it is not necessary to mask the unused area of the drum on the ThermoFlex. This decreases plate load/unload time and wasted media, and allows the operator to image multiple plates at the same time.

The ThermoFlex loading architecture accelerates the plate load/unload cycle and minimizes the risk of damage to the plate by supporting it at all times. The ThermoFlex employs two unique technologies: automatic drum balancing and an auto-focus system, which increase process control and contribute to cleaner imaging. Plate remakes are fast and accurate because registration on the plates is more exact, temperature changes are minimized across plates, and the plate-to-plate and job-to-job repeatability is very high.

Using the same reliable machine architecture, 830nm laser thermal imaging, and external drum technology as the proven Lotem and Trendsetter platesetters for the offset market, the ThermoFlex family produces plates with unmatched precision and repeatability.

In conventional flexographic shops, film negatives serve as the venue for file verification, quality assurance, and error identification. In many cases, problems can get to plate or even press without being detected. In a digital environment, you can verify file integrity and manipulate content on screen.

The TIFF Front End is a software package developed by Kodak to meet the stringent process control and data reliability demanded of flexographic printers and trade shops. You can ensure prepress and plate accuracy by verifying screened data prior to imaging. The software also optimizes media usage and minimizes imaging and processing time, moving files quickly and efficiently through the process.

The ThermoFlex family accommodates a wide range of media sizes and thicknesses, imaging digital flexo plates and thermal film up to 52 x 80 in (1321 x 2032 mm). Because adjustments are not required when changing plate size, you can easily move from one job to the next without slowing production.

Kodak technology makes ThermoFlex the ideal solution for "imaging in the round." Imaging on a sleeve requires that the imaging laser track any change in media thickness resulting from sleeve, sticky-back tape, foams and plate. Compensating for the thickness changes and maintaining clean ablation requires a large depth of focus or an auto-focus system. Kodak imaging technology provides both.

Small repeat sleeves must be rotated at very high speed to avoid overexposure and still achieve acceptable imaging speed. The application of Kodakg's wide imaging swath reduces these high speed requirements.

Kodak has developed sleeve imaging capability for the ThermoFlex, making the loading and unloading of sleeves easy and giving you the ability to switch between sleeve and sheet imaging whenever necessary. A large-format ThermoFlex device ordered today can be upgraded to incorporate sleeve imaging capability.

ThermoFlex flexographic CTP devices are available in five models. The range of sizes allows printers to scale a flexographic CTP system to match their press sizes, and gives packaging trade shops the flexibility they need to service a wide range of customers. A ThermoFlex solution can be easily tailored to meet the imaging size requirements of almost any label, flexible packaging, folding carton, multi-wall bag or corrugated printer, or any trade shop supplying these facilities.

• ThermoFlex Narrow
• ThermoFlex Mid
• ThermoFlex Wide*

*Wide model available in three different drum sizes.