User’s Guide
PlateRunner P24
2
Manual Notice
Xanté Corporation
reserves the right to make
changes to this manual and to the equipment
described herein without notice. Every effort
has been made to ensure that this manual is
free of inaccuracies and omissions. However,
Xanté Corporation
makes no warranty of any
kind including, but not limited to, any implied
warranties of merchantability and fi tness for a
particular purpose with regard to this manual.
Xanté Corporation
assumes no responsibility for,
or liability for, errors contained in this manual or
for incidental, special, or consequential damages
arising out of the furnishing of this manual, or the
use of this manual in operating the equipment,
or in connection with the performance of the
equipment when so operated.
Copyright
This manual is Copyrighted © 2007 by
Xanté
Corporation
. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the
USA. This manual may not be copied in whole
or in part, nor transferred to any other media or
language without the express written permission
of
Xanté Corporation
.
Power Information
220/240 V Version:220/240 VAC (198-264 V),
50/60 Hz (47-63 Hz), 3.2 A
Power Cord
The power cord is the main disconnect device. It
should be plugged into an easily accessible outlet.
For 230 Volt Confi guration
The power cord to be used with 230 Volt
confi guration is minimum type SJT (SVT) 18/3,
rated 250 Volts ac, 10 Amps with a maximum
length of 15 feet. One terminated in an IEC 320
attachment plug. The other end is terminated as
required by the country where it will be installed.
Manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity
The Product has been designed and manufactured in
accordance with the following international standards:
I, the undersigned, hereby declare that the equipment
specifi ed above conforms to the above Directives and
Standards
Robert C Ross
Xanté Corporation Founder and CEO
3
Contents
Chapter
1
:
Introduction and Installation
5
Installation Requirements
5
Turning the PlateRunner On
5
Start Up
7
Chapter 2:
Control Panel
7
Accessing the Controls
8
Setting the Plate Counter
9
Activating the Heaters
9
Resetting the System 1
0
Accessing the Functions 1
0
Pre-Heat Parameters 1
1
Setting Pre-Heat Temperature 1
1
Setting Timing 1
2
Developer Parameters 1
3
Setting
Developer Temperature 1
3
Setting
Developer
Replenishment 1
3
Manually Replenishing Developer 1
4
Gum-Dryer Parameters 1
4
Setting
Gum Volume 1
5
Setting
Gum Dryer
Temperature 1
Gum Dryer Temperature 1Gum Dryer
5
Manually Adding Gum 1
5
Speed Parameters 1
5
Setting
Developer Time 1
6
Setting
Pre-wash Brush Speed 1
6
Setting
Developer
Brush Speed 1
Developer Brush Speed 1Developer
6
Standby Parameters 1
7
Setting Standby 1
7
Setting Standby Developer Volume 1
7
Setting
Standby Develop
er Timing 1
8
Standby
Gum
Timing 1
8
Selecting Plate Type 1
9
Standby
Plate Type Parameters 1
9
Processing a Plate 2
0
Nominal Operating Values 2
1
Chapter 3:
Setting Brush Pressure 2
1
Setting
the Pre-wash Brush 2
2
Setting
the Developer Brush 2
2
Chapter 4:
Setting Gum Quantity 2
4
Chapter 5:
Basic Maintenance 2
5
Maintenance 2
6
Daily
Maintenance 2
6
Weekly
Maintenance 2
7
Month
ly
Maintenance 2
8
Periodic
Maintenance 2
8
Cleaning the Roll
ers 3
0
Removing the Brushes 3
0
4
Replac
ing the Filter 3
0
Changing Developer
3
1
Replacing a Fuse
3
2
Chapter 6:
Troubleshooting 3
4
PlateRunner Specifi cations 3
4
“Why isn’t the processor brush turning?” 3
5
“Why is the developer pH too low?” 3
5
“Why is the developer level falling below the drain slots?”
3
5
“Why are the plates underdeveloped?” 3
5
“Why is there no image?” 3
6
“Why is there emulsion on the unimaged areas?” 3
6
“Why do the dots appear scrubbed?” 3
6
“Why aren’t the plates cleaned in the pre-wash section?”
3
6
“Why isn’t the gum drying after processing?” 3
6
“Why isn’t the gum evenly applied?” 3
6
“Why does the wastewater level rise in the tanks?”
3
6
“Why isn’t my plate coming out?” 3
6
“Why aren’t the plates going through in a straight line?” 3
7
“Why doesn’t “Ready” replace “Waiting for Temp” on the
Status Display?” 3
7
“Why are the plates light struck?” 3
7
“Why can’t I get the developer residue off?” 3
7
5
Chapter 1
Introduction and Installation
Installation Requirements
1. Electrical Requirements: Connect the processor to
the main power line using a fl ame-resistant cable
with a core not lower than 2.5mm, and interpose an
interlocked outlet for 230 volts.
2. Plumbing Requirements: Water supply with a fl ow
rate of 13.2 liters (3.5 gallons)/minute or more at 20
PSI.
3. Draining Requirements: Drain located within 1.2
meters (4 feet) and no more than 15.2 centimeters (6
inches) from the fl oor or at least 61 centimeters (24
inches) below the processor.
4. Environmental Requirements: Operating temperature
between 18 - 23 degrees C or 65 - 78 degrees F with
safe and proper lighting.
5. Chemical Requirements:
Xante Product: Part Number:
Harmony
TM
Violet CTP Developer 200-300047
Harmony
TM
Violet CTP Replenisher 200-300048
Harmony
TM
Litho Processor 200-300049
Harmony
TM
Litho CTP Gum 200-300050
Turning the PlateRunner On
When fi lling the tank with the recommended
developer, use a container, siphon hose, or funnel that
allows you to pour the chemicals in the correct tank.
Avoid splashing developer on the mechanical and
electrical components. Clean up any spilled developer
immediately.
Some developing fl uids foam easily, pour them
carefully to avoid excessive foaming.
Wear protective glasses and gloves.
1. Check that the Developer Tank Drain Valve is shut
off and the handle is horizontal. Then pour 15 liters of
developer into the Developer Tank.
6
2. Connect the PlateRunner to the electrical service and
turn it on (the red power switch pointing to “1”).
3. Raise the Top Cover and set the Main Cover Switch in
Service Mode
4. Turn on the water supply.
5. Wait until the processor is Ready.
6. Activate a processing cycle by holding a plate over the
Input Detector for fi ve seconds.
7. When a processing cycle starts, wait a few seconds
for the water to fl ow out of the spray bars. Observe
the direction and strength of the Pre-wash and Rinse
spray.
The Pre-wash sprays are directed on the brush.
The Rinse spray is directed onto the front respective
roller. The inside top surface of the roller should
be wet, but not fl owing over the top of the roller.
Directing it down into the tank will reduce the time
that the plate is rinsed, and may cause foaming.
8. Adjust the fl ow rate using the water supply valve on
the hose. The jets should be even along the bar and of
moderate force. While the water is running, look into
the tanks and make sure that they are draining.
9. Look at the Developer Tank and locate the two
depressed drain slots located at the top of the tank
front wall. These serve to drain excess developer fl uid.
For proper operation, an equal amount of developer
waste must drain from both the right and left slots.
10. Add developer so that it reaches and trickles through
the drain slots.
11. Observing the two drain slots, adjust the right and left
pairs of the PlateRunner’s legs until the developer
drains equally from each slot. When adjusting the left
side, turn both left feet an equal number of turns in
the same direction. Similarly, when adjusting the right
feet, turn both right feet an equal number of turns.
12. Make sure all the feet are in contact with the fl oor and
the processor cannot be rocked.
7
13. Verify the drain is free and clear and that no effl uent is
escaping.
14. Check that the fi lter housing is fi rmly seated.
15. Check all the fi ttings, tanks, and seals for leaks.
16. Lower the Top Cover.
Start Up
The main power switch is located at the front below the
Input Tray. The main switch activates all the sections
of the PlateRunner Processor: the feed system, heaters,
recirculation pumps, dryer, display, brush, etc. After a few
seconds, the Status Window will appear in the display,
indicating the status of the different sections of the
Processor.
Turn on the water supply.
To verify the temperature is set correctly, attach one
temperature strip on the back
of the plate
temperature strip on the back of the plate temperature strip on the back
near each
corner , and one temperature strip near the center of the
plate. Process it as normal and check the temperature
strips afterward to verify it is operating at the correct
temperature.
◊◊◊
Status Display
The Status Display shows the temperature of the Preheat
Sections (Pre1 and Pre 2), Developer Temperature Section
(dev), and the Development Time. The number in the
upper left corner shows what plate type the system is set
up for.
The value displayed will be close to the set points. If the
temperatures are not close enough to the values set, the
“Ready” line will be replaced with “Waiting for temp.”
W
ait for “Ready” to appear.
Wait for “Ready” to appear.W
Chapter 2
Control Panel
8
Description of Control Panel Keys
The four keys below the display are used to set the
PlateRunner Functions. These are illustrated and described
below.
MENU KEY Opens the main menu.
When in the Menu Tree, it brings up the previous
menu.
UP KEY Changes item selected on the
menu shown by the cursor and increases the selected
value. When pressed prior to any other key it brings
up the Plate Type menu.
DOWN KEY Changes item selected
on the menu shown by the cursor and decreases the
selected value. When pressed prior to any other key it
selects the Standby Parameters menu.
ENTER KEY Confi rms the parameter
or value selected. If pressed before any other key, it
opens the Controls Menu.
Using the control keys takes the operator to the various
menus where the parameters can be controlled. Thinking
of the menu as a horizontal tree extending to the right, the
ENTER key steps to the right through the menu options
and the MENU key retraces those steps.
In describing the menu options, and how to select and set
values, the description is accompanied by an illustration.
In each case the starting display is on the left, the action
taken is in the middle, and the resulting display in on the
right.
Accessing the Controls
Pressing the far right ENTER key accesses the Plate
Counter, Heater Control, and System Reset.
9
The left panel labeled DISPLAY is the starting menu, the
middle panel labeled KEY specifi es which key to press,
and the resulting display is on the right.
Setting the Plate Counter
With the cursor pointing to Counter, press the ENTER
to bring up the Plate Counter Menu. The number shown
is the number of plates processed since the counter was
reset. The count can be reset to zero by pressing ENTER.
Activating the Heaters
The heaters can be turned on and off. There are two
pre-heat panels, Pre-heat 1 and Pre-heat 2, the Developer
Heater, and the Dryer for the gum station. Move the cursor
to On/Off Heaters using DOWN. Select that heater with
ENTER.
The cursor before PRE-HEAT shows which heater is
active. Pressing the ENTER KEY will toggle that heater
ON and OFF.
The DOWN and UP keys move the pointer to the desired
heater.
To turn the Developer Heater on, press the DOWN
key twice which moves the cursor down two lines to
Developer.
10
Pressing the ENTER key will now toggle that function on.
A similar sequence will turn the other functions on and
off.
Resetting the System
When a plate is placed on the Input Tray, and detected by
the Input Detector for more than fi ve seconds, a sequence
of events is initiated. The system comes out of standby
and starts the operational sequences required to process
the plate.
If it is necessary to reset the system before the cycle
is completed, the operator may do so from the Control
Menu. A reset is only accepted once the plate is past the
Pre-heat Section.
Select Reset by moving the cursor to it and press the
ENTER key. After Resetting, the Display will briefl y show
“Complete”. If the plate is in the Pre-heat Section, and
the Reset is not accepted, an Error message will briefl y be
displayed.
Accessing the Functions
The four groups of parameters to access and set are found
on the Function Menu. They are reached through the
PRE-HEAT, DEVELOPER, GUM-DRYER, and SPEED
PROGRAMS menus.
To reach them from the Status Display press MENU.
The rest of this section will describe how to access and set
the processor parameters.
11
Pre-Heat Parameters
Two independent heaters are used to complete the plate
exposure by uniformly preheating the imaged plate.
The two heaters are independently controlled and their
temperature setting are accessed from the Main Menu by
placing the pointer on PREHEAT and pressing MENU.
As these are controlling the temperature of the heaters,
the values used will be higher than those desired for the
plates.
Setting Pre-Heat Temperature
Pressing ENTER when the cursor is at PRE-HEAT
accesses the functions Pre-heat 1, Pre-heat 2, and Timing.
Using UP and DOWN, place the pointer on the desired
Pre-heat Panel. Pre-heat 1 is shown as an example, and
select with ENTER.
To deliver more heat to the plate, adjust the temperature
setting, in Centigrade; using DOWN reduces the heat.
Press ENTER to enter the value.
To return to the previous menu, PRE-HEAT, press
MENU.
NOTE: Pressing MENU repeatedly will retrace your
steps back through the Menu Tree until the Status
Display is reached.
A similar process is used to set the temperature for the
other heater. A nominal setting for Preheat One is 208
degrees Centigrade (C) and 200 C for Preheat Two.
Chemical settings will change based on the chemicals and
plates being used.
12
Setting Timing
To assure an even temperature along the plate as well
as across, the heater panel temperatures are modifi ed as
the plate progress through. The temperature profi le is
controlled by a few parameters set at the factory.
NOTE: Only adjust these settings when directed to by
your service representative.
To access them from the PRE-HEAT Menu, below, scroll
the pointer down to Timing and select with ENTER to
bring up the Timing Menu.
Although called the Timing Menu, the values use both
time and plate length. This assures that as different plate
sizes and developing times are used, the heating profi le
delivered to the plate will remain constant.
Delay is the delay from when the Input Detector senses
the plate until the control algorithm starts to cycle the
heaters. The heating cycle operates as the plate is passing
through the Pre-heat Section, Active Length. Inactive
is how long the heater is off and Active is how long the
cycle operates.
The four algorithm windows are shown below. Access
each from the Timing Menu by scrolling the cursor
(asterisk), using UP and DOWN, and selecting with
ENTER.
Again only change these at the direction of your service
representative.
The values in each menu are changed using UP and
DOWN.
13
Use MENU to return to the previous display.
Developer Parameters
To assure optimum processing, the developer temperature
is maintained at the manufacturers recommended value.
As each plate processed reduces developer strength
and removes a small amount of fl uid, the developer is
automatically replenished. The amount of developer added
each time a plate enters is specifi ed in milliliters.
To access these parameters, set the pointer to
DEVELOPER on the Function Menu and select with
ENTER.
Setting Developer Temperature
Selecting “Developer Temp.” with ENTER brings up the
following display. The desired temperature value is set
with UP and DOWN. The plate manufacturer specifi es the
exact value set.
The PlateRunner’s Developer Heating System will
automatically heat the developer to that temperature.
If the developer temperature is above the desired value
due to a hot environment, the optional Chiller may be
required. It one of these options has been installed, the
temperature will be heated or cooled to maintain the set
value.
Setting Developer Replenishment
Returning to the previous menu, set the pointer to Auto
Replenish to access the amount of developer that is
replenished when a plate enters.
As the amount required depends upon plate size, use UP
and DOWN to set the value in milliliters per plate. If you
do not know what that number is see the EXAMPLE.
14
It is very important that the developing tank remains full
during use, and that a small amount runs over the two
waste slots and into the waste receptacle. If this does not
happen as a series of plates are processed, increase the
dose until developing solution consistently trickles over.
EXAMPLE:
The plate manufacture’s replenishment recommendations
will likely be in milliliters per square foot (ml/ft2)
or square meter of plate (ml/m2). The PlateRunner
replenishment rate is set in units of milliliters per plate
processed.
To get the number for your plate, your average plate area
must be multiplied with the manufacture’s recommended
replenishment dosage rate. For example, if your plate
area, found by multiplying the plate dimensions, is 0.5
meters, and the recommended dosage rate is 10 milliliters
per square meter, you would set the volume to 5 ml in the
menu above.
Manually Replenishing Developer
When the developer level is low, it can to be added
from the control panel. From the Developer Menu select
Manual Replenish.
Operate the pump using UP. It will continue to operate
while UP is pressed. With the cover raised, look at
the processor slots to determine when the developer is
trickling over them.
Gum-Dryer Parameters
Gum is applied to each plate as it passes through the
rear section of the processor. After the gum station the
plate passes beneath the Dryer where heat is used to
dry the gum. The time that gum is applied and the dryer
temperature are set from the control panel.
To access these parameters from the Function Menu set
the pointer to GUM-DRYER and select with ENTER.
Also located on this menu is a manual feed function for
applying gum.
15
Setting Gum Volume
Set the pointer to Gum Dose, and press ENTER to
access the Gum Application Menu where the Gum Pump
operation duration is set. As the in-line valve limits the
pump fl ow rate, the time set needs to be determined by
experimentation.
Set the value using UP and DOWN.
Setting Gum Dryer Temperature
After being gummed, the plate is dried with a heating
lamp. The temperature of the dryer is set by placing the
pointer on Dryer Temperature and selecting with ENTER.
Set the value using UP and DOWN, select with ENTER,
and return with MENU.
Manually Adding Gum
Set the pointer to Manual Replenish, and using ENTER,
bring up the Manual Gum Menu. Pressing UP manually
adds gum while the key is depressed.
Speed Parameters
The development time and rotational speeds of the Pre-
wash and Developer brushes are set from the SPEED
menu.
To access these parameters on the Function Menu, set the
pointer to SPEED and select with ENTER.
16
Setting Developer Time
The development time is a function of the transport speed
and length of the developer bath. Length of the developer
bath is kept constant by paying attention to processing
leveling at installation, and developer level daily.
To set the time of development, place the pointer on
Development Time and use ENTER.
Use UP and Down to set the development time to the
manufacturers recommended time for the developer
temperature set. Return using the MENU key.
Setting Pre-wash Brush Speed
The rotational speed of the Pre-wash Brush is set for
optimal processing. To change the speed, place the cursor
on Pre-wash Brush and press ENTER. The values entered
are a percentage of the maximum speed.
The value is adjusted with UP and DOWN.
If some protective coating adheres to the plate after
brushing, increase the speed. Refer to Chapter 6 for
Troubleshooting tips.
Setting Developer Brush Speed
The rotational speed of the Developer Brush assembly is
set for optimal processing. To change the speed, place the
cursor on Developer Brush and press ENTER. The values
entered are a percentage of the maximum speed.
The value is adjusted with UP and DOWN.
17
Again, if some unexposed emulsion remains on the
plate after brushing,
increasing the speed in some cases
can resolve the issue.
Refer to Chapter 6 for more
Troubleshooting tips
.
Standby Parameters
To assure optimal processor performance the PlateRunner
enters a standby mode when no plates are being processed.
During the standby mode the rollers turn slowly, the
developer brush turn intermittently, the developer pump
continues to run and the developer is periodically added.
The values for when the PlateRunner enters Standby,
the amount and frequency of developer addition, can be
changed.
The Standby Menu is reached from the Status Menu by
pressing DOWN.
Setting Standby
A length is used
t
A length is used tA length is used
o program when you want the processor
to go into standby mode. The processor is approximately
1,500 millimeters long. As you want the processor to go
into standby just after the plate exits, set the value to 1550
mm.
On the Standby Menu, place the cursor on Processor
Length and press ENTER.
Use UP and DOWN to change the value, and ENTER to
accept it. If you will be feeding it plates frequently and do
not want it to go into standby, set the value higher. Press
MENU to return to the previous screen.
Setting Standby Developer Volume
The amount of developer added during a standby
replenishment is set from the Standby Volume Menu.
Place the cursor before it and ENTER.
18
The amount specifi ed is dependent on the plate
manufacturer’s recomendations, machine usage and
environmental conditions. For example, in a hot dry
setting, the evaporation is far greater than that experienced
in cold and wet climate. Determine the amount based on
your observed usage and how much fl uid must be added
each morning.
The criteria used in setting this, and Developer Timing, is
that the developer must trickle evenly over the two drain
slots.
Setting Standby Developer Timing
Frequency of developer addition during standby is set
from the Standby Interval Menu.
Again, the frequency is dependent on the climate so use
both replenishment timing and volume to fi nd the correct
balance for long-term use of the developer. The correct
amount is determined by monitoring the pH and level of
the developer bath. As the seasons change, the values will
also change.
Use UP and DOWN to enter the desired value.
Standby Gum Timing
When the plate enters the processor, gum is applied to
the rollers. As it requires a short time to reach an optimal
spread and thickness on the plate, the timing of the Gum
Dose can be adjusted. If the dose appears to be applied too
soon, the point at which it occurs can be set further into
the machine.
A setting of zero millimeters (0.0 mm) the gum would be
applied as the plate’s leading edge enters the PlateRunner,
a higher value will apply gum after the plate has entered
the machine and it has moved closer the Gum Section.
Set the pointer to Gum Delay and bring up the Gum Delay
Menu with ENTER.
19
In this example, a value that is closer to the Gum Roller
has been entered. Again, this has to be determined by trial
and error and is dependent on the Gum Dose settings.
Selecting Plate Type
The processing parameters can be set for two plate
thicknesses. For instance, you may process both 6 and 8
mm plates, plate type 01 and 02.
Press ENTER to access the Plate Type.
To change the plate type from 01 to 02, use UP.
Similarly, to change the plate type from 02 to 01, use
DOWN.
Make sure that the plate type, 1 or 2, displayed on
the Status Menu matches the plate type that is being
processed.
Standby Plate Type Parameters
The default plate type is 01. All the parameters that have
20
been entered when a 1 was displayed on the Status menu
are used when a plate is processed.
To enter the parameters for a second plate type, use UP to
select 02, two.
Now return to the Status Menu and set all the processing
parameters described above to those recommended by the
plate manufacturer.
Whenever plate type 02 is selected, it will appear on the
Status Display and the parameters entered for 02 will be
used in processing the plate.
Processing a Plate
You are now ready to process a plate. Look at the Control
Panel and observe that the PlateRunner is in a ready state,
“Ready” on the Status Display, and that all the specifi ed
parameters for your plate type are correctly entered.
Place a plate on the Input Tray emulsion side up.
Center it and gently push it into the rollers. When the
Input Detector is covered for fi ve seconds, or more, the
processing cycle will start. The plate will be drawn into
the PlateRunner and will emerge at the rear ready for
printing.
If the plate is shorter than 38 cm (15 inches) rotate it until
the diagonal length is 38 cm (15 inches) to assure that it
will bridge the gap between the transport rollers.
When a plate is detected a hyphen, –, is added to the right
of PlateRunner P20/24 and Ready disappears.
This shows that a plate is in the Pre-heat Section and
another plate should not be submitted. Shortly before the
system is ready to accept another plate, when all the plate
is in the Pre-heat Section, ‘Ready’ will appear to indicate
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