Agfa launches its plate loading robot. This robotic plate loader speeds up prepress operations while reducing overall costs. This automation will be particularly useful for printers using offset presses of different sizes and thus several CTPs.
"The robotic plate loader automates manual and repetitive tasks such as loading magazines or attaching pallets to the base frame of compact loaders. It replaces up to two autoloaders and two skid-steer loaders, and takes up less floor space" explains the Belgian manufacturer. The robot is fully integrated with Agfa's Apogee workflow software.
This plate loading robot is currently offered to printers equipped with Avalon VLF extra large format CTP. The robot is custom-built according to the company's needs and can feed several plate production lines simultaneously at a speed of up to 80 plates per hour, regardless of plate size (up to five formats).
"A competitive advantage" according to one of the first customers
Danish print marketing solutions provider Stibo Complete was one of the first to test Agfa's robotic plate loader.
"Agfa's robotic plate loader gives us a competitive advantage, says Svend Erik Grue Nielsen, Director of Operations and Development at Stibo Complete. It improves our productivity, lowers our costs, minimizes errors and optimizes the working conditions of our employees. Our wafer loading robot saves employees approximately 230 tons of heavy loads per year."
