24 Nov Most Common Imagesetter Parts & Accessories
Are you shopping for Computer-to-Plate parts? Refurbished options are less expensive, equally functional and extend the life of your system.
If you are in the pre-press or printing business, your Computer-to-Plate (CTP) imagesetter is not only critical, but indispensable given it keeps your workflow moving forward, allowing you to serve your client’s needs. Any failure can be detrimental. Realistically, however, parts will most likely fail before the machine reaches its end-of-life.
CTP parts typically need replaced based on their frequency and duration of use — most often to least often — similar to vehicles, or any other type of machinery which relies on mechanical parts. While some parts may last the lifetime of your imagesetter, others may fail in 5 years. Still, other parts may need to be replaced sooner or later. It honestly is hard to say, and the life expectancy of parts remains unknown. With nearly two decades in the industry, however, we can tell you that routine maintenance of all CTPs is important to keep both your machine and its parts not only running as efficiently as possible, but to prolong its life and the life of its parts.
When parts need to be replaced as a result of mechanical failure, or damage, they — like other technologies — can be pricey. Refurbished CTP parts offer less expensive options for all the same reasons refurbished machines are appealing.
[Read: Three Reasons Buying Refurbished CTP Equipment is Smart Business]
Depending on the age of your imagesetter, the manufacturer may not carry specific parts for that machine. Once the manufacture deems a CTP as end-of-life, they are not required to manufacture, or stock those parts.
The good news? Platesetters.com stocks CTP parts — from the most common to those hard-to-find —for all of the big brands.
[Read: CTP Imaging Solutions – Big Brands]
All Platesetter.com computer-to-plate refurbished parts and accessories are in excellent condition and a fraction of the cost of new parts. Keep your system up and running so your business can continue to deliver quality client service and timely products.
5 common Imagesetter parts which may require replacement:
Air Manifolds
Intake and exhaust manifolds, as well as other inflatable parts in a CTP solution, use fuel, or air, to increase operating efficiency. These can leak or misfire, compromising the system’s performance.
Conveyors
Conveyor belts automatically move printing plates through each step of the pre-press and printing processes by transporting and rotating plates as needed to reach the desired output, These, similar to the belts in cars, do fail overtime and need replaced.
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)
Similar to a computer, PCBs are made of multiple components to provide critical mechanical support and electrically connect the equipment’s performance functions. Replacement boards are built much better today than in past years given technology advancements but are not without the chance of failure.
Sensors
Like computers, sensors are the heart of CTP machines. They are digital, complex and sensitive. Like PCBs, these have come along way, but can require replacement from time to time.
Springs
Mechanical springs compress, extend, rotate, slide, pull and exert force when an equal or greater force is applied to keep plates moving through the pre-press and printing processes. With continued use and time, the springs can weaken, requiring replacement.
The Takeaway
Platesetters.com not only maintains one of the largest inventories hard-to-find parts for aging CTP systems and end-of-life parts, but we also provide packaging and shipping for domestic and international orders.
[Custom Built Crating Solutions for Shipping]
With more than 15 years in the business and an impeccable international reputation for customer service, Platesetters’ team of experts can also typically predict the most frequently reported CTP part and accessory failures to keep your equipment running seamlessly and prevent disruption to your daily operations and promises to your clients.
In-stock parts include laser diodes, clamps, rollers, encoders, springs, motors and pumps, along with the others mentioned above. Platesetters.com ships in-stock parts the same day for orders placed before 5 p.m. EST.
If for any reason, we don’t have a part in stock, we will work for you to find it, so let us know!
If you are looking for specific parts, can’t find a part, or are not 100% sure your CTP make and model is up to par and running at optimum efficiency, simply call Platesetters.com today at 888- 380-7483, or email sales@platesetters.com.