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News Release from: EskoArtwork | Subject: Cyrel Digital Imager Sleeve Option
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 17 May 2004
New Packaging Sleeve Tool For Digital
Flexo Imager
Esko-Graphics has claimed that it has developed a new concept for mid-web sleeves in connection with its Cyrel Digital Imager (CDI) Compact platesetters.
Esko-Graphics has claimed that it has developed a new concept for mid-web sleeves in connection with its Cyrel Digital Imager (CDI) Compact platesetters The new cantilever arm system is aimed at improving the loading and unloading cycle of digital sleeves by allowing one person to easily change a sleeve without additional tools
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 14 Aug 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The maximum sleeve length, or print width, is 1,300mm (51"), while the maximum size allows repeats up to 800mm (31").
Using the CDI Optics 40 imaging system, four square metres can be imaged per hour on sleeves of all sizes.
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Because a drum speed up to 2,000 rpm is possible, the CDI Compact can assure maximum productivity and imaging speed, even with the smallest repeats, said Esko Graphics.
There are no limits to imaging quality; variable resolutions and special screens ensure highest quality with seamless sleeves.
Also featured is Esko-Graphics' Superskip, a function built into the CDI's Grapholas' control software.
Superskip is said to increase imaging productivity by skipping areas on a sleeve that do not contain any information to be imaged.
Superskip information is added automatically to TIFF and LEN files before imaging.
Because the area is not imaged - and literally skipped over - the time necessary to image a plate can be reduced even further, said the company.
Although savings of 50% of imaging time are common, Esko-Graphics said that it has found some files can save as much as 90% of imaging time.
A 1,000mm long sleeve with a 600mm repeat can be imaged in nine minutes.
The company claimed that saving 50% of the time with Superskip could reduce imaging time to 4 minutes 30 seconds.
The Screenview tool in Grapholas software is also helpful to inspect bitmapped files, ensuring the lack of a seam on a sleeve and the quality of colour separations and traps.
"Esko-Graphics has seen a significant increase in use of digital sleeves in recent years, as consumables providers develop viable, cost-effective sleeves.
With both hardware and software enhancements, Esko-Graphics is ensuring that converters have a productive way to image high-quality digital sleeves," remarked Jan Buchweitz, CDI Product Manager at Esko-Graphics.
The CDI Compact with cantilever sleeve is being shown at Drupa on the DuPont stand (Hall 4, Stand A41).
Esko-Graphics has also claimed to have doubled the productivity of its CDI Advance with Optics 80, an enhanced version of the CDI's optical technology.
By imaging up to eight square metres per hour, meaning a full format 50"x80" plate in 19 minutes, the CDI now matches the fastest plate processing equipment available in the industry, said the company.
Esko-Graphics has claimed that it has sustained a 75% market share for the CDI since it was launched in 1995.
The CDI family of platesetters, said to be the world's first digital imagers for flexo plates, is now installed and operating in more than 400 plants worldwide and 90% of all digital flexo plates globally are imaged on a CDI flexo platesetter, claimed the company.
In 2003, Esko-Graphics said it delivered 40% more CDI units than in 2002 and that the demand for flexo-related packaging is growing due to a significant increase in quality, reliability and consistency.
The claimed fast and smooth sleeve handling on CDI Compact is one of the most significant advantages of sleeve technology in that it allows flexographers to print continuous images.
That creates a great opportunity for flexo in flexible packaging as it can fully compete with gravure for printing packs for snack foods, pouches, and frozen food bags that typically have continuous images and only require a single cut prior to packing and sealing.
Sleeves also eliminate a number of press variables and make-ready considerations.
Printers save mounting time, set-up and changeover is faster, and printers report that they get to sellable colour faster with less waste, said Esko-Graphics.
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