Escher-Grad Launches the Cobalt-4 CTP System at the Extraordinary Price of $49,995 USD

Montreal, Canada -- October 5th, 2001 -- Escher-Grad Technologies Inc. has launched Cobalt-4, a violet-laser diode platesetter at the extraordinarily low price of $49,995 USD. Capable of imaging single-page (8.5 x 11 inch) through to 4-up (22 x 26 inches) plates varying in thickness from 6 to 12 mils on both photopolymer and silver-based plates, the Cobalt-4 is the most flexible CtP system in its class. Depending on the plate speed, a full size 22 x 26 inch plate can be imaged in 2.2 minutes at 2400 dpi. The Cobalt-4 benefits from the same proven imaging platform as the Cobalt-8, guaranteeing the best image quality in its class.

Launched in 1999, the Cobalt-8, predecessor of the Cobalt-4 and the world's first violet 8-up platesetter, laid the ground-work for violet CtP. Now with two plate technologies from three major industry suppliers, Agfa, Mitsubishi Imaging and Western Lithotech, and other suppliers quickly joining the violet consumables market, violet CtP is fast becoming the industry standard.

"With the industry wide acceptance of violet CtP and the success of the Cobalt-8, the Cobalt-4 was the next logical step for us," said Najeeb Khalid, Chairman and CEO of Escher-Grad Technologies. "The 4-up market is huge with no reasonably priced alternatives. The Cobalt-4 was designed to be the Model-T of the CtP market."

The Cobalt-4 includes Escher-Grad’s EG-Connect remote control and diagnostics software that allows full system monitoring and control via modem. Service Engineers can dial-in to a system anywhere in the world and access the same testing and control functions they would have on-site. The Cobalt-4 is a manual load/unload engine with few moving parts, eliminating the need for costly on-site installation. The Cobalt-4 will work within hours of uncrating.

Escher-Grad is offering a choice of either a Harlequin RIPServer or Escher-Grad’s ImageSpool software to drive the Cobalt-4 engine. ImageSpool accepts 1-bit tiff files, along with the popular compression formats, from all the major prepress applications. "The choice of these two options provides connectivity solutions for all the major prepress workflows", said Keith Fisher, Business Development Manager for Print Imaging. "While keeping the complete system simple, it allows us to deliver on our goal of producing a CtP system that will benefit everyone from the largest printer to the smallest trade-shop".

Established in 1986, Montreal-based Escher-Grad designs, manufactures and markets advanced, high-resolution laser imaging systems solutions that markedly increase productivity for the graphic arts and printed circuit board industries. All products are backed by a worldwide sales and support network with systems installed in more than 35 countries around the world.

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