Flexo Solutions Print Solutions
Esko has unveiled the CDI Crystal XPS ‘Quartz Edition’, setting new standards in flexographic print quality and offering an alternative to gravure.
‘This is the pinnacle of flexo platemaking,’ said Pascal Thomas, director of flexo business with Esko. ‘In flexible packaging, gravure is still widely considered as delivering the best in print quality. With this new innovation, we are giving printers a way to match that print quality in flexography. We are raising the bar on quality to the very highest level and truly enabling flexo printers to achieve the optimum results for their customers.’
A new top of the line addition to the family of CDI Crystal XPS plate imaging and exposing solutions, the ‘Quartz Edition’ combines the upgraded optics of the CDI Crystal with optimised Crystal Screening software.
‘Our new Quartz optical technology enables users to image higher frequency surface structures at 2000 lpi (Q-Cells) with an imaging resolution of 4000 ppi, providing another major leap forward in flexo plate imaging speed and print quality,’ said Pascal. ‘Imaging at 4000 ppi is nearly double the current industry standard, and microcells engraved in the solid ink areas at a 2000 lpi resolution is proven to significantly boost ink transfer. The Esko CDI Crystal XPS ‘Quartz Edition’ sets a whole new standard for quality.’
The innovation is primarily targeted at label and packaging converters – and their pre-media plate suppliers – who are intent on delivering leading flexo print quality. ‘The hardware and software combination delivers Esko Pixel+ Q-cell screens at 2000 lpi resolution, which results in a previously unattainable behaviour of solid areas, smooth highlights and ink density,’ said Pascal. ‘What is more, this is achieved with a single optics head, reducing complexity and further simplifying the process.’
Jan De Roeck, director of marketing, industry relations and strategy, said that with the new ‘Quartz Edition’, Esko continues to deliver solutions that accelerate go to market while meeting the needs of customers. ‘This is a new, top of the line complete flexo platemaking solution, for those looking for the very best quality in flexo printing,’ he said.
Jan explained that the screening technology is an evolution from the Esko Print Control Wizard software, which uses all critical print parameters and variables – imaging resolution, exposure settings, plate, substrate, anilox, press type and inks – to simplify the flexo platemaking process. ‘The software standardises the generation of Crystal Screens specifically used in combination with the XPS Crystal flexo plate LED UV exposure unit,’ he explained. ‘With the CDI Crystal XPS ‘Quartz Edition’ we are taking that to the next level, adding VQ (variable highlight Q-cells) and SQ (stochastic Q-cells) for unrivalled screening accuracy.
‘This is a perfect combination of Esko hardware and software. The Quartz cells form in a flexo plate when exposed with the UV LED technology of the XPS Crystal, providing highly consistent and repeatable plate quality.
‘Put simply, the CDI Crystal XPS ‘Quartz Edition’ massively changes the game in flexo platemaking. Not only does the technologically advanced system produce the most accurate and best quality plates, but it also reduces ink usage making them cleaner to use, and it does all this while delivering the absolute best quality final print.’
The new CDI Crystal XPS ‘Quartz Edition’ is compatible with all existing Esko software, so users can continue running all legacy jobs without ripping them again. It will be commercially available from late 2024, available in sizes 4835, 4260 and up to 5080.
Esko is on stand A12, hall 8B at drupa.
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