ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the different types of scanning systems that are used, a methodology that will show how the different scanning systems are paired with appropriate light sources and printing plates, and examples of platesetters that are currently in the marketplace. It is very important to recognize that while platesetter resolution and quality of the printed matter are directly related, resolution and productivity are inversely related. The external drum architecture finds use in the widest range of applications for Computer to Plate. The internal drum format's greatest strength is the relative simplicity of the optical system. The F-Theta Scan system employs pre-objective scanning, that is, the scanning mechanism occurs prior to the objective. BasysPrint's platesetters are a unique example of post-objective scanning and employ a process somewhat analogous to projection lithography. Several equations are derived in order to provide a basis for comparing the implementation of the different scanning architectures.
