Industry news

M&R introduces the Starlight ASO

M&R Starlight_webThe M&R Companies introduces the Starlight ASO (Adjustable Spectrum Output) at SGIA 2017. It uses three independently adjustable nanometer ranges to increase screen-exposure flexibility. Each range can vary light output from 0%-100%, and operators can increase or decrease gain (intensity) to best match each emulsion. Operators can also fine tune exposure intensity on sensitive and fast-acting emulsions.

Starlight ASO can be stand-mounted or used on a table top. It’s ideal for conventional exposures, and an optional CTS retrofit kit turns it into a CTS (computer-to-screen) UV LED screen exposure system. The UV LEDs save energy costs, reduce screen exposure time, speed up production, and operate at far lower temperatures than metal-halide lamps. Starlight ASO’s light source can last for decades. M&R gives a limited lifetime warranty against failure in normal use for the UV LEDs.

The digital touchscreen controller automates screen exposures. The operator needs to select the appropriate exposure preset and press start. The entire process, including vacuum, exposure, and shutdown, takes place without further operator involvement. Vacuum and exposure times can be set between 0.1 and 999.9 seconds. The Job Recall speeds processing and increases productivity by enabling operators to save and recall up to 24 vacuum and exposure profiles—and identify each with a unique name or description.

Starlight ASOs quickly expose direct, capillary, and indirect emulsions. They work particularly fast on photopolymer emulsions, which can be exposed in three to five seconds. The screen exposure units can be located in areas housing unexposed screens because the ultraviolet light source and vacuum frame are enclosed, and the screen exposure lamp can’t be turned on while the blanket frame is open.

Starlight ASOs also incorporate several strips of yellow, non-exposing LED inspection lights. It is capable of exposing screen frames up to 79 x 102 cm (31″ x 40″) and is compatible with most sizes of M&R’s Tri-Loc Registration System.