The Flexocolour team: (L – R) Mr. Franck Nivard, Mr. Christophe Racaud and Mr. Philippe Defaye.
Flexocolor, a multiprocess photoengraver, has made an investment in a new large format CDI Spark 5080, from Esko.
‘A company must be creative and reactive to remain competitive,’ said Franck Nivard, managing director. ‘It’s also crucial to put in place processes that allow you to deliver work within ever-shorter turnaround times. We’ve always kept one step ahead of the competition by following Esko’s technological innovations. The investment in the new large format CDI will enhance our offering. We can now meet demand for flexible and cardboard packaging and films, labels, POS etc and all in high definition, at high speed and via a workflow that facilitates collaboration with our customers at every step of the process.’
The large format machine, 1270 x 2032 mm, will complement the company’s two CDI Spark 4260s, producing 1067 x 1524 mm plates, and two CDI 4835s for 1200 x 900 mm plates. All these CDIs are equipped with fiber lasers and special optics, guaranteeing high definition exposure. They provide a vast tonal range, with smooth gradients and improvement to highlights.
It has an imaging resolution of 4000 ppi. Fitted with Optics 80, it reaches a scanning speed of 8 sqm/h. Used with Digital Flexo Suite, it helps reduce photopolymer plate scraps and minimises waste.
An operator uses the CDI Spark
With the CDIs it is possible to use any type or brand of digital flexo plates. Flexocolor transforms Asahi, DuPont, Flint and MacDermid plates, and uses HD Flexo, flat-top dot (LUX system) and MicroCell technologies. The imager enables users to diversify their product portfolio, meet tight deadlines, and service demand for high definition, large format work. The 1270 X 2032 mm format means the company can now broaden its services and enter new markets, such as the cardboard, mineral water, beauty, perfumery and hygiene sectors.
‘This latest investment will allow us to deliver more top quality, large format work to shorter deadlines than heliogravure,’ said Philippe Defaye, sales director. ‘It also gives us new commercial opportunities with printers. We’re thinking of increasing our plate production over the next two years by 5000 sq/m, and in the long term we’re aiming for an annual production of approximately 30,000 metres.’
