Greg Hrinya, Editor03.01.21
Alphasonics has announced the launch of its new plate loading system: PlaetoVPL. The product has been designed to maximize the throughput of the company's PCX range of plate cleaners while maintaining a small footprint.
Traditional plate cleaners can be operated either manually or via an infeed conveyor, which can both be problematic. The former can be labor-intensive and the latter can be limited and dependent on the length of the conveyor. The capacity of the conveyor is generally limited to 6-8 plates – at best – and where space is at a premium there may not be room for a conveyor in any event.
“At drupa 2016 we were asked by a prospective customer if we produced such a device, which got us thinking,” says David Jones, MD at Alphasonics. “The project went on the back-burner until lockdown, when we resurrected the idea. I guess you could call Plaeto our 'Lockdown Baby.'”
PlaetoVPL has been specifically designed to minimize the footprint while at the same time enabling up to 30 plates to be automatically fed into the PCX unit, before re-setting itself back to a start position ready for another 30 plates.
The PlaetoVPL plate loading system is ideal for printing companies who have a high volume of plates to clean daily. To view the PlateoVPL in action, watch the video here.
Other key features include:
Traditional plate cleaners can be operated either manually or via an infeed conveyor, which can both be problematic. The former can be labor-intensive and the latter can be limited and dependent on the length of the conveyor. The capacity of the conveyor is generally limited to 6-8 plates – at best – and where space is at a premium there may not be room for a conveyor in any event.
“At drupa 2016 we were asked by a prospective customer if we produced such a device, which got us thinking,” says David Jones, MD at Alphasonics. “The project went on the back-burner until lockdown, when we resurrected the idea. I guess you could call Plaeto our 'Lockdown Baby.'”
PlaetoVPL has been specifically designed to minimize the footprint while at the same time enabling up to 30 plates to be automatically fed into the PCX unit, before re-setting itself back to a start position ready for another 30 plates.
The PlaetoVPL plate loading system is ideal for printing companies who have a high volume of plates to clean daily. To view the PlateoVPL in action, watch the video here.
Other key features include:
- Situated in front of and coupled to the PCX plate cleaning system
- An automatic loading system
- No need for an operator
- Available in five widths, from 450mm to 1400mm
- Variable speed
- Minimum capacity between 15-30 plates (depending on width)
- Optional extender racks for greater capacity