Fastest single head flexo plate imager from Esko

Esko has unveiled its fastest single head imager, the new Optics 100v2, delivering a 25% increase in productivity for corrugated plate imagers. The speed and quality option is the latest addition to the Esko CDI range featuring patented ‘single head’ split laser technology.

The innovative Optics 100v2 features a new imaging setup that enables plate makers to obtain one 5080 (50in x 80in, or 127cm x 203cm) full sheet more per hour from their CDI and achieve a 100% increase in productivity on partial plates.

“We have developed Optics 100v2 to address the major pain points faced by the industry,” said Pascal Thomas, Director of Flexo Business at Esko. “Cost pressure is increasing across the board and a lot of skilled labor and expertise is involved in flexo plate making for corrugated print production.”

He continues, “This latest innovation means that prepress operators can now work faster, producing one more plate per hour, and importantly improve the efficiency of operation by 20%. Not only that, but we all know that since plate materials can be expensive, it is necessary to use as much of the off-cut material as possible to minimise waste. Traditionally, it has taken 15 or more minutes to image a partial plate to avoid machine imbalance, but now with Optics 100v2 it is significantly faster at less than seven minutes for a 1 sqm off-cut. Plate makers can reduce waste, use less energy and minimise operator input to lower costs and boost operational efficiency.”

The overall increase in productivity leads to a 20% improvement in operating efficiency, while the ability to obtain a full 5080 sheet more per hour means an additional eight 5080 sheets per typical shift.

Thomas adds, “The single head system removes the problem of gluing or linking two heads together in the middle of an image and additionally the new imaging setup enables the use of full speed on partial plates regardless of the thickness, unlike when using multiple heads. The design also reduces vibration and optimises thick plate imaging, which are the typical for the corrugated industry.

 

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