SELL

92 | L&L
DIGIFLEX sells its inkjet CTP system to Grape Labels
Lüscher meanwhile launched its new
X!Direct system for the direct exposure of
letterpress plates without an ablation layer.
INKJET CTP
An interesting challenge to established
CTP technologies came from Israeli
company Digiflex layed down a
challenge to existing CTP technologies
with the launch of its FlexoJet 1724 plate
imager. The FlexoJet consists of a high
precision flatbed inkjet printer, patented
Bi-component ink and the software to
create an opaque mask on top of
the plate.
After the image has been printed onto
the plate, the rest of the plate-making
process remains unchanged from
standard water or solvent wash
processes. Digiflex says the FlexoJet
gives better results than low-quality
negative films, and offers an alternative
to black mask ablation CTP devices. The
resolution of the printer is 2880 x 1440
dpi and it will produce plates up to a
180 LPI line screen.
‘This is a revolutionary CtP solution,
transforming the quality of analog
photopolymeric plates for the
flexographic, letterpress and dry-offset
printing technologies, to the digital era,’
said Adir Ariel, DigiFlex’ director of sales
and marketing Europe,
Maximum plate size is 440mm x
640mm and imaging speed for a full
plate is 22 minutes, or 6.5 minutes for an
A4 size.
Just before the show, Digiflex
announced a distribution agreement with
Jet Europe, whose md Harry Heesen
commented: ‘This FlexoJet 1724 Computer-to-Plate
system serves as a great
motivation to replace the low quality film
solution and will bring the CtP world
to everyone.’
WORKFLOW AUTOMATION
As the labels industry becomes more
automated and industrialized, automation
of workflow and the connecting label
converters to the wider world of design
and end user approval cycles becomes
ever more important.
EskoArtwork has led the way in many
of these developments, and this show
saw the company consolidating across
its full suite of plate preparation and
workflow software.
Fresh from winning the Global Label
Award for New Innovation for its HD
Flexo 2 suite, the company demonstrated
the software’s improved screening
algorithms - particularly impressive
in combination with the new flat top
SCREEN BROADENS THERMAL
FLEXO PLATESETTER RANGE
Although not exhibiting at Labelexpo Europe
this year, Screen looks to be increasing
its focus on the packaging arena. It latest
development is a new thermal platesetter
for the flexo market. The PlateRite FX1200
features Screen’s proven thermal imaging
technology and enables output up to 4800
dpi for high quality production of flexible
packaging, labels and cartons.
The third model in Screen’s flexo and
letterpress range, the PlateRite FX1200
complements the FX870II and FX1524
models and supports all leading makes of
plate at sizes from 100 x 100 mm up to 1200
x 1067 mm (47.2 x 42 inches). It can also
be upgraded on-site to the larger FX1524
specification of 1524 x 1067 mm (60 x 42
inches), providing a growth path into larger
format work.
The FX1200 features high productivity of up
to 4 sq m/hour for flexo (3.3 sq m/hr at 4800
dpi) and 6.3 sq m/hr for letterpress plate
imaging.
The 4800 dpi output and screen rulings up
to 200 lpi are achieved via a newly-developed
imaging head and associated optics, using
64 high-power, long-life laser diodes, with
a backup mode for continued production in
the event of laser failure. Screen’s FlexoDot
screening technology offers a choice of
minimum halftone dot size and shapes,
enabling better tonal control and crisper
imaging in printed highlights.
The PlateRite FX1200 features an easy-tooperate
clamp system for holding the leading
and trailing edges of maximum-size plates
to make loading more simple and efficient.
Smaller plates can be loaded without having
to mask the rest of the drum.
The PlateRite FX1200 can be driven from
any of Screen’s workflows and also accepts
1-bit TIFF input from any other source.
dot, and significantly improving print
definition. The new inline UV exposure
unit for Cyrel Digital Imagers offers
flexo printers the flexibility to select the
type of print dot – either round-top or
flat-top – according to the specific job
requirement.
EskoArtwork continues to refine its
System 10 tool set. One of the standout
demonstrations was the Studio Toolkit