hi all:

We changed recentrly (6 months ago) to Fuji Plates. We are experimentign some plroblems with waste. Need to replace the debriss filter every 2 months, need to clean the lens every 3 months.... Is anyonelse having problems?... Creo/kodak says that it is a Fuji problem....
Thanks!!!

Hello danielsaura,

In summary, there is really no onging problem that I know of with the Fuji LH-Pi plates. Here, another user posts about the Fuji LH-Pi plates in which he is a happy Fuji user.

I have read somewhere that Banta is using (i think) Fuji LH-Pj thermal plates and are getting million run length on web press with no-bake thermal Fuji plates.

I myself have changed from Kodak CTP thermal plates, Sword II Excel, and prior to that, Kodak thermal GOLD CTP plates. I have been on Fuji LH-Pj for several months and the plates are great, superior. Less chemistry cost, more mileage, cheaper cost to my plant. I am using Kodak Trendsetter Quantum CTP, So, whatever Kodak may be saying, your problems are most likely the Kodak Lotem CTP Equipment and what it is/not doing. Befrore we delve into that at length, what CTP device are you using ( Kodak Lotem 800 V, Kodak Lotem 800 V2, Kodak Lotem Quantum, or KODAK LOTEM 800 II QUANTUM ) and what workflow driving it. Also, what plate processor, is very important to have all the details.

Also, what does Fuji service say is the problem. When you say waste, are you saying plates are going out ton pressroom and needing re-make? What is the actuall symptom that indicates you are having problem. How many plates or days between full processor flush, clean, and recharge?

Looking forward to your response. have a good weekend.
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JoePostscript -- support administrator

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Hello Joe.

Sorry for my late answer. My equipment is a Lotem 800 II Quantum and we are running Prinergy.
But the problem is on the Lotem itself, i mean that on press the plates are running perfect. We did never a second plate (we run as max 200.000 copies).
The problem is that we are having a lot of "plate dust" over the lotem. We are replacing the debriss filter every two months (and it is very expensive).
Kodak says that the problem is Fuji`s problem because the plates are too soft and produces a lot of dust. Fuji says that the problem is Kodak Problem because the debriis removal do not work fine... so finally the problem is mine!!!...

Thanks!!!

OK, that is a clearer picture. Ask Fuji if they can put you on the LHPj plate. From what I know it is supposed to be a tougher plate but other than the durability, not much difference? Ask Fuji about it. It should be same price or cheaper because I get the LHPj at a great price.

I am running that Fuji LHPj at 6 months with no notice or care of dust? I am running a Kodak Trendsetter Quantum with 45 watt head. So, although the plates are different, you are looking at a Kodak problem IMO. This is why I will not do business with them any longer, they are full of shit IMO and care nothing about customer satisfaction. Ever since they bought my business from Creo, service went to shit. I got overbilled chronically and agrreements on price were not kept. that's only a little part of it, it was not good at all. Since changing to Fuji Plates, I'm totally happy, plates run longer, billing is accurate, pricing is honored, and Fuji is a better plate.

OK, I had two Scitex Lotem 800 V2 platesetters. This device, nicknamed "Scrotum" by many many folks is a pretty good device in terms of feeding but is a unit that continually gets dusty and needs lots of cleaning. Has parts that should be self oiling but are not, requiring more maintenance than S/B required. The Scrotum is definitelt a high maintenance device, Lotem it's real Scitex. Mine were prior to the Quantum head so you are better off than a Scrotum 800 V2. Still, this is a Kodak problem I think because it's their device. Ask Fuji to put you on LHPj see if that has an effect. Maybe positive/negative plates would help or is a part of this problem. All I know is I have a Quantum head and have no problems with LHPj and dust and AFAIK have not changed a dust filter in over six months.

You may also look at getting a auxillary dust vacuum that could pull dust away into a common HEPA filter that you would not have to pay Kodak's highway robbery price on. What are they charging for a filter? On the Digimasters we have, there's a damn cotton roller that gets dirty, costs $1000 and we go through them like crazy. Of course that is a consumable that you don't think of or know of when you buy from Kodak. This is part of their scheme to always make more money from you than you had budgeted, always little consumable surpriuses. With Kodak plates, takes 2x the chemistry and that is where they get more $. Of course customers focus to plte cost and can't calculate or grasp chemistry costs.

I bet if you take that air filter there's a place to get them cheaper. Check with a used equipment dealer like maybe Bob Weber Inc. or Team EPS, Lotem has been around a long time. I bet there's a source for a fair cost on the same filter somewhere. Team EPS can do service at probably 1/2 of Kodak's price, may look at that as a way to save money. This is the help from Kodak, bloated cost of ownership and excuses of blaming other suppliers, it's default answer.

Check on the positive/negative plate difference. It may be that changing that will make for less dust.
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JoePostscript -- support administrator

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I will ask Fuji, but the question is... why do I need to change the BEST plate to another one for Kredak problems. I'm on a hard discusison with Credak service because I was part of them since Kodak bought us. Then thing became more and more crazy... so i left the company.
Will try to solve it from Kodak part and see what happen.
I do really apreciate your help... By the way... Talking form Spain, here from the Kodak point of view we are not the end of the world, but you can see it...!!!

Best regards...

Wow, from Spain, that's great, people from all over the world on here, same issues and problems, it's cool. Welcome and thanks for joining. From my understanding the LHPi is a predecessor to the LHPj, and the LHPj has replaced the LHPi, I actually think this will not make a difference to the dust you are talking about. That's why i say ask fuji. From what another user told me who had used LHPi, then changed to LHPj, he said that the only noticeable difference was a slightly better run length, and a little more scratch resistance in the pressroom. I looked on FujiFilm Graphic Systems site this AM. I downloaded the brochures and there was no LHPi listed in their brochures. I think you may be changing anyway at some point. Ask Fuji about it and what they say. Main reason I brought that LHPj up was that I am using same head, but not same plate exactly, with no dust maintenance issues. On my old Lotems had dust problems with Agfa and Kodak plates, no matter.

Here's stuff I read on the LHPj, not sure exactly what is difference in that and LHPi, posted above is just what I have heard by word of mouth.

Fuji Digital Thermal Plate:

Fujifilm’s Brillia series offers a comprehensive range of high sensitivity thermal and
photopolymer CTP plates, which have earned an industry-wide name for superior quality, superb on-press performance, long process life and reliability.

Brillia LH-PJ — A New-Generation Thermal CTP Plate

Fujifilm is committed to continuous improvement of Brillia CTP plates to meet the needs of today’s rapidly growing CTP market. A new-generation positive thermal CTP plate, Brillia LH-PJ dramatically improves on the printing ease of existing plates, simultaneously providing excellent durability.

Technical Specifications
Type Positive
Sensitivity 120-140mj/cm2
Resolution 200lpi (1-99%)
Run length* 200,000 (normal ink), 50,000-100,000 (UV ink, unbaked), 70,000 – 150,000 (UV ink, baked)
Chemistry Developer: LH-D2WS, Replenisher: LH-D2RWS, LH-D2RS

Digital Plate Brillia LH-PJ

Double-Coating Technology for Enhanced Plate Durability

By employing a double-coated photosensitive layer, Brillia LH-PJ delivers enhanced durability compared to other CTP plates. LH-PJ plates offer superb resistance to pressroom chemicals and the accidents they can cause, and achieve stable UV printing without baking. The double-coated photosensitive layer also provides
outstanding resistance to scratches, facilitating ease of handling in the pressroom.

New Graining Technology for Greater Printing Ease

The enhanced Multigrain surface structure of Brillia LH-PJ achieves new advancements in printing ease. Brillia LH-PJ is characterized by exceptional water latitude, while minimal surface shine during printing makes it easier to determine the state of the water. At the same time, blanket scumming and blanket piling are greatly reduced. Compared to existing CTP plates, LH-PJ plates offer faster sponging during flatbed press proof printing, with fewer sponge particles left on the
plate surface.

*Run lengths are always dependent on laser power, processing and press conditions.

New Multigrain Surface
Large grains have been made even larger
and grain edges have been smoothed, for
improved printing characteristics.
Micro grains have been fine-tuned, with an increase
in individual surface area, for a significant
improvement in water latitude and enhanced
water/ink balance.
LH-PJ Existing Plate
Mono Dispersion Large Grain Large Grain
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