Xante PlateRunner P24 Processor Manuel

Corporate Headquarters: 2800 Dauphin Street · Mobile, AL 36606 · USA

USA 800-926-8839 · EU +31 (0) 26.319.3210 · Global +1.251.473.6502 · xante.com

CTP Site Preparation Guide

• OpenRIP Symphony

• VM CTP System

• PlateRunner P24 Processor

INTRODUCTION

Installation of your Xanté CTP system involves a certain degree

of planning and site preparation. This guide will help you prepare

for the arrival of your system, so that the installation goes as

smoothly as possible. Many of the preparation tasks listed in

these pages are mandatory — you will not have a functioning

system at the end of the installation period if the preparation

tasks have not been completed. In that case, it will be necessary

to schedule additional time to ﬁnish the installation, and that

additional time will be billed.

SITE PREPARATION

The Xanté VM CTP system should be installed in a low trafﬁc

area which is free from excessive dust and other contaminants.

The ambient temperature range should be between 65 and 78

degrees Fahrenheit (18 – 26 degrees Celsius) while the equip-

ment is in operation. For the plate material you plan to use, note

the acceptable range for developer temperature. If the ambient

temperature where you are installing the equipment sometimes

goes higher than the maximum developer temperature, it may

be necessary to install a chiller on the processor. Both can be

retroﬁtted in the ﬁeld if necessary, but it is much easier to ship the

processor with one installed. The chiller uses refrigerative cooling

and does not require a water supply.

Humidity should be maintained between 45% and 65%

non-condensing at all times. Failure to maintain sufﬁcient

humidity can cause static electricity buildup which can

damage the equipment. The imaging laser is especially sensitive

to static electricity. Humidity in excess of 60% to 65% may cause

problems with photopolymer plate material. If any other plate or

ﬁlm processors are located nearby, ensure that they are properly

vented. Buildup of fumes in the vicinity of the VM CTP System

can cause premature degradation of the optics.

The drive system which transports the optics in the VM CTP

System is sensitive to vibration. Vibration which occurs while

imaging is underway may cause imaging anomalies. The best

location for installing the system is on a cement ﬂoor, away from

heavy machinery which can vibrate the ﬂoor. If the system will

be installed on a raised ﬂoor, wooden ﬂoor, or upper ﬂoor in a

building, then it should be located some distance away from

walkways and other sources of vibration. The system should not

be installed in a carpeted area, as carpets can produce a static

charge that may damage the system.

YELLOW SAFELIGHT, YELLOW ROOM

All violet-sensitive plate materials on the market at this time

require special lighting conditions in order to avoid fogging

(undesired exposure). It is necessary to control all the sources

of light in the area around the platesetter and processor while

plates are being handled, both ambient light and direct light.

Ambient light can be controlled by using a dedicated room, such

as a darkroom, or by using curtains to create a “yellow room.” If

you don’t presently have a darkroom, the latter choice is much

less expensive. To order a yellow room kit, contact Dor-A-Mar at

(631) 738-0457, and ask for one of the following Xanté yellow

room kits (pricing subject to change). Kits are available to create

6' x 9' (1.8 x 2.7 m) and 8' x 9' (2.4 x 2.7 m) rooms. The 6' x 9'

rooms contain a cutout in the curtain wall for the processor to

exit the room, while the 8' x 9' rooms do not. All kits include cur-

tains which are 9' tall, ceiling tracks, valences, pressure-sensitive

Velcro, and a 2' x 2' (60 x 60 cm) yellow window. Please ensure

that the 9’ height is appropriate for your room, and discuss it

with Dor-A-Mar if it is not. Allow 5 weeks for delivery.

“L” shaped (placement in a corner) • 6', 9' $735

• 8', 9' $765

“U” shaped (placement along a wall) • 6', 9', 6' $965

• 8', 9', 9' $1075

“U” shaped (placement along a wall) • 9', 6', 9' $1095

• 9', 8', 9' $1120

Rectangular (placement mid-room) • 6', 9', 6', 9' $1350

• 9’, 8’, 9’, 8’ $1465

Many regions have safety and building codes which are appli-

cable to dark rooms, possibly including the “yellow rooms” which

can be built with the kits listed above. It is your responsibility

to understand and comply with those regulations.

To control direct light, it is necessary to ﬁlter all sources of light

including lighting ﬁxtures, windows and computer monitors.

Materials for ﬁltering light sources are available from EncapSulite

International at (877) 227-8756, or (281) 239-0225, or

encapsulite.com. EncapSulite does not sell products to end

users, but Xanté is a dealer for EncapSulite. You can contact

Xanté at (251) 473-6502.

Different plate material types require different ﬁlters — please

check the speciﬁcations for your plate material to see which type

of light ﬁlter you need to order. Xanté plate material requires an

A10ND.3 safelight, which provides a spectral limit of 580nm. All

yellow safelight treatments must be in place prior to installation

of your CTP system.

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS

Your CTP system will require two electrical circuits — one for

the platesetter and computer and another for the processor.

Both of these circuits should be used exclusively for the CTP

equipment, and ideally, they should be a dedicated run from your

main breaker panel. This is expecially important if the circuits

would otherwise be on a subpanel with printing equipment which

creates line noise such as presses and large bindery equipment.

The CTP system and computer can operate from a single,

dedicated circuit. In North America and other 120 volt markets,

it should be a 120 volt, 15 amp circuit using a NEMA 5-15 outlet

— this is a normal business/household outlet. In Europe and

other 220-240 volt markets, the circuit should have 10 amps

capacity, using the standard outlet type for the region.

The plate processor requires a 208-260 volt, 30 amp circuit.

If the voltage is lower than 220 volts, it may take longer for the

heaters to come up to temperature. If you install 208 volt service

for the plate processor (from two legs of three phase service),

it is especially important that the voltage does not sag sub-

stantially under load. To connect the processor to the outlet,

we recommend a NEMA L6-30R twist-lock connector. You are

responsible for both the circuit/outlet, and the matching plug; the

processor does not ship with a plug connected to the line cord.

PLUMBING REQUIREMENTS

The plate processor requires a cold water supply which can

provide a pressure of at least 20 psi (130k Pa), and ﬂow of 3.5

gpm (13 liters per minute). It takes approximately three gallons

(11 liters) of water to process each plate. The water is supplied

to the processor from a faucet with a normal garden hose

connection. You should also provide a garden hose which is

long enough to reach from the faucet to the processor.

The processor also requires a drain, which must be no more than

6 inches (15 cm) above the ﬂoor, or 24 inches (60 cm) below the

processor, and no more than 4 feet (120 cm) away. Water is used

for both the pre-wash and rinse stages, so the waste stream will

contain some amount of chemicals which were part of the plate,

and some developer chemistry. Consult the material safety data

sheets for the plate material and chemicals you plan to use,

and verify with your municipality that you are allowed to dispose

of these chemicals in the drain. There can be serious personal

and corporate penalties for disposing of chemicals in violation

of local, state, or national laws. If you cannot place a drain close

enough to the processor, then you may alternately allow the

waste water to drain into a 5 gallon (20 liter) bucket, and use a

sump pump to pump the water to a nearby drain. Be sure that

the sump has higher than 5 gpm of capacity.

If it is not possible to provide a fresh water supply or drain

for the processor, or if local regulations prevent draining the

processor’s wastewater into the sewer, the plate processor

can be conﬁgured to recirculate water. We only recommend

recirculation if there is no other way available to operate the

processor — it is by far preferable to use fresh water and a

drain. If you must use recirculation, it is best to equip the plate

processor for it at the factory rather than modifying it on site.

The recirculation option adds two pumps and two ﬁlters to

the system. The ﬁlters are a maintenance item, and all water

(6 gallons or 23 liters) must be replaced daily. Water which is

replaced daily may have a higher concentration of contaminants

than water which is continually replaced during normal operation

of the machine using a fresh water supply.

You will need to supply two 5 gallon (20 liter) containers: one for

the developer waste, and one for a gum recirculation container.

For both of these containers, it is best if they have a small neck

or are closed; this limits evaporation and odor, simpliﬁes removal

and transportation, and (for the gum reservoir) makes it less likely

that the contents will be contaminated by airborne dust and

other material.

NETWORKING REQUIREMENTS

Install an Ethernet connection close to the CTP area, and ensure

that it is working prior to the arrival of the installer. It should

be accessible to the computers which comprise your prepress

department so that they are able to print to the RIP — or if the

RIP is in a separate location, so that the RIP can communicate

with the computer which drives the VM CTP system. While a

10baseT (10 megabit) network will work, we recommend a

100baseT network at minimum. Some RIP systems are equipped

with gigabit Ethernet connections, and gigabit switches have

become inexpensive enough to merit serious consideration for

a typical prepress department.

DESIGNING YOUR CTP WORKSPACE

There are three components of the CTP system which should be

in close proximity to one another: the computer which controls

the VM CTP system, the VM CTP system itself, and the entry

end of the plate processor. You should design your workspace

so that these three areas are as close to one another as pos-

sible, so that plate handling can be performed with a minimum of

movement. The VM CTP system plus stand are 46" wide by 25"

deep (116 x 64 cm), and the plate processor is 36" wide by 96"

long (91 x 255 cm) with the racks installed. Allow for 12" (45 cm)

on both sides of the VM CTP system, and 4" (10cm) behind it.

There should be 24" (60 cm) on both sides of the plate proces-

sor. There should be 24" (60 cm) of working space in front of the

entrance to the plate processor, part of which is occupied by the

entrance rack; the plate exit rack can be very close to a wall.

The computer which is controlling the VM CTP system does not

need to be in the yellowroom with the VM CTP system, but it

must be nearby because the VM CTP system is connected to

the computer via a 15' (4.5 m) cable. If the computer which is

controlling the VM CTP system is also the one which is running

the RIP software, then there is a distinct disadvantage to having

it in the yellowroom: you cannot proof on screen in full color,

since the monitor must be covered by a yellow ﬁlter.

The computer does not ship with a table or stand — you must

supply that. If you ordered the VM CTP system without the

optional stand, then you should supply a sturdy table or cabinet

without wheels which can support the full 180 lb. (80 kg.) weight

of the VM CTP system. There should be a place on the ﬂoor

under or directly behind the VM CTP system position where the

vacuum pump can sit. The stand has two light safe drawers to

be used for plate storage. If you did not order the stand, be sure

that you have light-safe drawers nearby for plate storage.

CTP Site Preparation Guide page 2

ANCILLARY PARTS AND SUPPLIES

Your equipment installer will be carrying a CCD dot meter to

calibrate the system during installation. However, we strongly

recommend that you have a CCD dot meter on hand if you

ever need to recalibrate the system. Xanté sells a dot meter,

but meters by other leading manufacturers should work as well.

Note the difference between a densitometer (including “plate

densitometers”) and a dot meter. Densitometers measure dot

area by shining a light on a region of the media and measuring

how much light is reﬂected. Dot area meters use a CCD array

(as is found in digital cameras) attached to microscope optics to

measure the size of halftone spots. While both types of devices

can be very accurate, CCD dot meters provide better results in

practice because calibration of the meter is much more simple.

Please have a box of appropriate plate material for each size of

press for which you’re planning to produce plates. If you’re using

Xanté plate material, the following sizes are stocked as standard

items, and other sizes can be special-ordered:

Harmony 8 mil Violet Metal Plates

• 10" x 15" (254 x 381 mm )

• 11" x 18" (279 x 457 mm)

• 11.25" x 18.5" (286 x 470 mm)

• 12.0625" x 17.375" (306 x 441 mm)

• 13" x 19.15625" (330 x 487 mm)

• 13" x 19.375" (330 x 492 mm)

• 13.1875" x 19.09375" (335 x 485 mm)

• 13.375" x 19.875" (340 x 505 mm)

• 15.75" x 18.5" (400 x 470 mm)

• 15.75" x 20.0625" (400 x 510 mm)

• 15.75" x 20.125" (400 x 511 mm)

• 16" x 17.5" (406 x 445 mm)

• 18.0625" x 20.687" (459 x 525 mm)

• 19.6875" x 23" (500 x 584 mm)

• 19.875" x 22.75" (505 x 578 mm)

• 20.75" x 25.625" (527 x 676 mm)

• 21.6875" x 26.375" (550 x 670 mm)

• 22.5" x 28.5" (571.5 x 724 mm)

• 24.25" x 28.5" (616 x 724 mm)

Be sure to have the appropriate chemistry on hand for the plate

material you have selected:

• Harmony Violet CTP Developer: Please have 5.2 gallons

(20 liters) of the developer on hand.

• Harmony Violet CTP Replenisher: Most plate materials

require a replenisher, which maintains the pH of the developer

chemistry. If needed, please have 5.2 gallons (20 liters) on hand.

• Harmony Violet CTP Gum: Please have 2.6 gallons/10 liters

of gum concentrate.

The best tool for monitoring plate processor chemistry is a

pH meter, which is shipped with the P24 processor. It is also

important to maintain proper temperature. To measure both, we

recommend the Hanna Instruments pHep4 (HI 98127), along

with the 7/10pH calibration kit (HI 770710P) to maintain calibra-

tion. For more information, visit the Hanna Instruments website at

http://www.hannainst.com/products/prodline/tester.cfm.

They can be ordered from Professional Equipment at

http://www.professionalequipment.com.

To calibrate the temperature of the processor, we recommend

non-reversible temperature labels. These labels can be attached

to plates (5 per plate), and will show the highest temperature

which the plate reached, even after it has cooled down. Your

installer will have enough for the installation, but they may come

in handy later on for diagnostic purposes. They can be ordered

from xante.com, omega.com and t-m-c.com. We recommend

labels with a temperature range of 190-280 degrees Fahrenheit

(90-135 degrees C), with 10 degree F resolution.

If any of the presses require plates to be punched, then you

should have the appropriate punches on hand. Xanté sells plate

punches for certain presses, and they are also typically avail-

able from the press manufacturer and third parties. The VM CTP

system registers the image to the gripper edge and right edge

of the plate. For best registration on press, the punch should

also register to those edges. Centering punches can typically be

modiﬁed to work that way, and your installer can assist you with

making that change to your punch, if needed.

For evaluating dot size, quality, and exposure level, we recom-

mend a 30x magniﬁer or loupe. A plate exposure scale will also

be necessary to set laser power — consult the plate manufac-

turer for the appropriate one for the material. Xanté plate material

requires a Stouffer 21 step wedge (step 3 solid, step 5 ghost) or

a UGRA wedge (step 2 solid, 4 ghost).

SYSTEM DELIVERY

The components of your CTP system will arrive from several dif-

ferent locations, typically over the course of a few days. The VM

CTP system and the VM CTP system stand are typically shipped

by truck freight from Xanté in Hauppage, NY. The PlateRunner

P24 processor with stand (3 crates total) is shipped by truck

freight from Xanté in Mobile, AL. The RIP computer and scanner

(if applicable) will ship from Xanté in Citrus Heights, CA. Other

components ship from various locations. All components should

be in place prior to the arrival of the installation crew, and Xanté

tracks all shipments to ensure that they will arrive on time.

All crates should be moved to the area where the equipment

will be installed. The following crates may require special con-

sideration with respect to doorway dimensions and movement.

Please ensure that there is a way to get each of these crates

from the truck to the installation area:

height depth width weight

VM CTP System 33" (84cm) 28" (71cm) 52" (132cm) 334 lbs. (151kg)

VM CTP System Stand 31" (79cm) 38" (97cm) 53” (135cm) 285 lbs. (129kg)

P24 Processor 39” (100cm) 32” (82cm) 63” (160cm) 450lbs (204kg)

CTP Site Preparation Guide page 3

Please consider the following:

• If you do not have a loading dock, please contact Xanté to

ensure that the crates arrive on a truck which is equipped with

a lift-gate.

• Please ensure that all doors between the delivery point and

the installation area are wide enough that the crates can pass

through. If not, it may be necessary to unpack equipment and

then move it to the ﬁnal location.

• You should have a foklift, pallet jack, or several dollies available.

If you are using dollies, you should have enough staff on hand

to lift the crates onto the dollies.

• If the installation location is upstairs, and there is no elevator,

or the elevator cannot accommodate the crates, then you

may have to make special arrangements to put the equipment

in place.

• Consider whether it is necessary to hire a rigging company

to put the equipment in place, and set up the plate processor

(as described below). If you do hire a rigging company, discuss

with them whether it makes more sense to ship the equipment

to your facility or theirs.

• For any equipment which you have unpacked, please retain

the boxes or crates at least until the installation is complete.

That will facilitate sending it back if damage is uncovered

during the installation.

• Xanté installation crew members are not permitted to lift more

than 80 lbs. (35 kg) without assistance.

P24 PLATE PROCESSOR

It is the customer’s responsibility to unpack and assemble the

processor and stand in the ﬁnal position prior to the arrival of the

installation crew. Do not connect water or power to the proces-

sor. The stand is included in the crate with the processor. It typi-

cally requires four people, each capable of lifting 100 lbs. (45 kg),

to assemble the processor.

VM CTP SYSTEM AND OPTIONAL STAND

Please unpack the VM CTP System and (if applicable) its stand,

and place the VM CTP System in the ﬁnal position prior to the

arrival of the installation crew. Do not connect power to the VM

CTP System. We recommend using four people to lift the VM

CTP System into position.

RIP AND OTHER COMPONENTS

Please do not unpack any other components. If any components

appear to have sustained damage during shipping, please con-

tact the Xanté Sales Coordinator at (800) 926-8839 immediately.

If it is necessary to uncrate equipment so that it will ﬁt through a

door, please advise Xanté before doing so.

STAFFING DURING THE INSTALLATION PERIOD

It is sometimes necessary to deal with speciﬁc issues regarding

the installation which might not have been anticipated prior to

installation. Please ensure that a staff member is available during

the installation who has authority to make decisions regarding

the installation, or who can act as a liaison to management.

Training is a vital component of the equipment installation,

Xanté’s experience with previous installations has shown that

the quality of the training period is the primary determinant of

success or failure with a system. Please ensure that during

the training period, the employees who will use the system

can devote their attention exclusively to the training process,

with minimal production-related interruptions. We encourage

management to state explicitly to the applicable employees that

training is the highest priority. Typically, two full work days are

spent on training.

The CTP system acts as a bridge between the prepress

and press departments, so members from both departments

should be available for training. Graphics staff should have

a thorough understanding.

CTP Site Preparation Guide page 4

Customer Equipment Delivery Checkoff List

Please check off the following items when they have been completed. All should be complete prior to your equipment shipping.

I will require carrier to deliver with lift gate and inside delivery (additional fee for this service).

I have measured all doorways and other obstructions, and conﬁrmed that all equipment will ﬁt.

I have a plan to move the equipment to its location.

I have the staff to move, unpack, and place the equipment.

I have designed a CTP workspace with the following characteristics:

The workspace is large enough to hold the computer, VM CTP system and plate processor.

The front of the VM CTP system and entry rack of the processor are immediately adjacent.

The computer and VM CTP system can be connected by a 15 foot cable.

I have a cart or table to hold the computer.

I ordered the VM CTP system stand or I have a strong table for the VM CTP system to support

334 lbs. (151kg), and light-safe storage for plates.

List presses and press sizes used in shop.

If all preparation steps are complete, please sign below, and fax to Xanté at (251) 473-6503.

I acknowledge that I have completed all the preparation steps outlined on page 9 of this document.

I understand that when I return this form, Xanté Corporation will make arrangements for the shipment

of my equipment.

Printed Name Company Name

Signature Date

CTP Site Preparation Guide page 5

Customer Responsibility Checkoff List

Please check off the following items when they have been completed. All should be complete prior to your scheduled installation date.

For users who will put the equipment in a darkroom:

I have a darkroom with adequate space for the VM CTP System and P24 Processor.

The darkroom does not contain photochemicals, or adequate venting will be used 24 hours/day.

For users who will put the equipment in a yellowroom:

I have a space set aside for installation of a yellowroom (4 feet by 9 feet, minimum).

I have ordered the materials necessary to create a yellowroom.

I have installed the yellowroom.

I have ordered the appropriate color ﬁlters for the plate material I plan to use:

All ﬂuorescent light ﬁxtures have tube sleeves or ﬁlters which cover the light.

All windows within the plate handling area are blacked out, or covered with appropriate ﬁlter.

Computer monitors and other light sources are covered with ﬁlters.

I have installed the appropriate circuit and cables I plan to use:

I have installed a standard dedicated circuit for the computer and VM CTP system

(15A/120V in North America, and other 120V areas).

I have installed a 30A/208-260V dedicated circuit with a NEMA L6-30R connector.

I have a NEMA L6-30R plug to be installed on the plate processor line cable.

For users who plan to provide plumbing for the plate processor:

I have a cold water supply with a ﬂow rate of 3.5 gallons per minute.

I have consulted loval and state regulations to ensure that I can dispose of waste water legally

I have a drain installed no more than 6 inches above the ground.

Or I have purchased a bucket, a sump, and enough tubing to reach a nearby drain.

For users who plan to recirculate water through the plate processor:

I ordered the plate processor with the recirculation option.

I have a plan for disposing of 6 gallons of waste water per day.

I have installed a network connection to be used for the computer.

I know the ambient temperature range where the equipment will be installed, and no cooling will be necessary for the developer

Or I have ordered the plate processor chiller option.

Humidity can be maintained between 45% and 65%, non condensing.

I have selected an area which is reletavely free of vibration for the installation (strongly recommended, not required).

I have a CCD dot meter to calibrate the system.

I have a box (or more) of plate material for each type of press I plan to use.

I have 5.2 gallons/20 liters of Harmony Violet CTP developer which are compatible with my plate material.

I have 5.2 gallons/20 liters of Harmony Violet CTP replenisher which are compatible with my plate material.

I have 2.6 gallon/10 liters of gum concentrate.

I have a pH meter and thermostat.

I have a supply of non-reversible temperature labels, with a 190-280 degree Fahrenheit range.

I have appropriate punches for the presses I use.

I have a 30x magniﬁer or loupe (Strongly recommended, not required).

I have a Stouffer 21 step wedge or a UGRA wedge.

I or another party have unpacked and placed the plate processor in its ﬁnal location.

I or another party have unpacked and placed the VM CTP System in its ﬁnal location.

I have a staff member who will act as a liaison during installation.

I have arranged for the appropriate staff to have two full, uninterrupted days of training.

I have discussed responsibility for using and maintaining the equipment with my staff.

Please check one of the statements below, sign this page, and fax pages 10 – 11 to the Sales Coordinator at (251) 473-6503.

If all preparation steps are complete: I acknowledge that I have completed all the preparation steps outlines on pages 10 and 11 of this document.

I understand that when I return this form, Xanté Corporation will make travel arrangements for the installation. I understand that if I need to change

the date of installation, I will incur all charges related to changes in travel arrangements.

Or, if all preparation steps are not complete: I have read the preparation steps outlined in this document, and I understand that all preparation

steps outlined on pages 10 – 11 must be completed by the time Xanté installers arrive to set up the CTP system. I understand that when I return

this form, Xanté Corporation will make travel arrangements for the installation. I understand that if I need to change the date of installation, I will

incur all charges related to changes in travel arrangements. Furthermore, I understand the date of installation, I will incur all charges related to

changes in travel arrangements. Furthermore, I understand that if the installation cannot be completed for any reason beyond Xanté’s control, that

I will incur the full cost of booking additional installation time. Finally, I understand that the scheduling of supplemental installation work is subject

to availability of installation staff.

Printed Name Company Name

Signature Date

CTP Site Preparation Guide page 6

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