EskoArtwork launches inline UV main exposure options

EskoArtwork has introduced another step forward to improve quality and consistency in digital flexo platemaking, while reducing cost of operation and environmental impact. At Labelexpo Americas, the company announced a new inline UV main exposure option for its smaller format CDI Spark 2530 and CDI Spark 4835 Cyrel Digital Imagers, making this approach – introduced before for the larger format Cyrel Digital Imager models – available also to the tag, label and narrow web flexible printing markets.

Inline UV main exposure technology allows digital flexo plates to receive the UV main exposure within the same device where they are imaged, rather than requiring a subsequent separate exposure step on an offline light frame. Combining these two process steps on the same device provides both economic and quality benefits.

‘[The] announcement is another example of EskoArtwork’s innovation power, and also illustrates how we extend our many years of flexo expertise beyond the pure imaging step, into the complete platemaking process,’ commented Jrgen Andresen, vice president, Flexo Business. ‘Integrating as many platemaking process steps as possible within a single imaging platform is key to have a more productive, reliable and cost efficient operation. The innovative inline UV main exposure capability, available only from EskoArtwork, is a strong contributor to that strategy.’

‘The imaging quality of our CDI is already second to none,’ explained Dr Thomas Klein, EskoArtwork R&D manager, Flexo Business. ‘For the next step in the platemaking process, our inline UV main exposure technology offers a precisely controlled environment, in which every dot imaged on the plate is receiving exactly the same amount of UV radiation. This control of dot formation further increases the level of repeatability and consistency of the plate – leading to significant higher quality and stability on press.’

Inline UV Main Exposure in the CDI Spark 2530 and CDI Spark 4835 is going to beta immediately after Labelexpo Americas, and is expected to be available for customers during Q4, 2008.