Creo moves into gravure cylinder imaging

Creo is entering the gravure cylinder imaging market through a partnership with Milan, Italy-based Acigraf . The Exactus thermal gravure system combines Creo’s established SQUAREspot thermal laser imaging heads with the electrolytic copper removal process developed by Acigraf. Creo says the thermal gravure system should significantly reduce the cost of the gravure cylinder process, compared to the much slower, traditional diamond engraving process that has been the industry standard for more than 20 years.

The Exactus thermal gravure process consists of five steps: applying the thermal resist layer on the copper cylinder; imaging by direct exposure; developing the resist layer; removing the copper substrate by electrolytic process; and stripping of the remaining resist material. Creo has developed an infra red thermal resist called Graviti which is non-ablative, white-light tolerant, positive exposed, and processed in water-based solutions.