Esko to boost short run productivity

EskoArtwork is to expand finishing capabilities at Drupa with the launch of the new Kongsberg XN finishing table and with an upgrade of i-Cut Suite, including the i-Cut Automate.
 
The Kongsberg XN is a modular tabletop industrial design and available in different sizes; from 1680 x 1270mm (66 x 50in) up to 2210 x 6550mm (87 x 258in). The enlarged work area allows full Y-axis reach of all tools and the length of the XN24 and XN44 models has been extended to 3200mm (126”) for larger digital print materials.
 
Capable of handling a broad variety of materials, the new table serves all markets from packaging to sign making and displays. In addition, the Kongsberg XN can be used for cutting plates as part of the Esko Digital Flexo Suite and can handle the heavy materials used for protective packaging. A choice of four tool heads and a full assortment of insert tools provide versatility, Esko said.
 
Newly developed tools include a solid board v-notching insert, a corrugated paper-core board v-notching insert and a braille tool insert. Options that increase productivity and quality for every application are available.
 
The new Kongsberg XN can be equipped with a more powerful milling spindle, called the MultiCUT-HP. With this new high-powered MultiCUT-HP tool head, the Kongsberg XN offers up to three times more milling productivity, according to Esko.
 
In addition, Esko said i-Cut Suite is the first collection of workflow software targeted specifically at users of large format digital printers and/or digital finishing systems, where optimized print sheet layouts for odd shaped designs can offer material savings in excess of 20 percent.
 
i-Cut Automate 12, based on Automation Engine 12 technology, allows the creation of cutting paths, adding bleeds and setting nesting parameters to be automated. In a short run production environment, automatic creation of the most optimal print sheet layout is a clear way to increase capacity, reduce the risk for errors and reduce expensive substrate waste.  
 
Steve Bennett, Esko’s vice president for its digital finishing business, said: ‘Esko has upgraded and updated its range of digital finishing solutions for this Drupa. Our line-up of hardware today ideally suits the needs of an ever-growing range of applications requiring digital finishing: vinyl kiss cutting, digitally printed commercial brochures and folders, short run folding carton and corrugated packaging, signs in rigid materials, displays and interior decoration are only a selection of the many applications in need of a cost effective digital finishing solution.
 
‘Besides that, we have extended our powerful i-Cut software suite and have populated it with applications that streamline the entire production process of sign and display from layout to printing to the finished results.’