Plate burner

A plate burner is part of the CTF print workflow. In a CTF workflow, a film is produced directly from a RIP. This film is then placed on a plate, on the plate burner. Registration of the plate and film is controlled by a pin grid, which both the plate and film must fit. After securing the plate and film to the grid, a glass cover is lowered upon the plate and film. Then a vacuum is engaged to ensure the best possible fit. Once the vacuume is established, a high power (5Kv) UV lamp is turned on, which "burns" the image from the film onto the plate. The plate is then processed, and put onto the offset printing press.