Esko, global provider of integrated software and hardware solutions, has made its 5000th flexo installation with a CDI plate imaging unit at Inovar Packaging Group in Texas, USA.

The first Esko CDI – which stands for Cyrel Digital Imager – was installed at Warburger Klischee-Anstalt in the German town of Warburg in 1996. Two decades later, in 2016, Esko then introduced its Crystal XPS LED plate exposure device, with the first machine that rolled off the production line installed at Glatz Klischee in Austria.

Jan De Roeck, director of marketing, industry relations and strategy at Esko, commented, ‘Over the years, both the CDI and XPS have continually evolved to meet the ever-changing demands of brands, converters and their plate suppliers. For example, the latest version of the innovative CDI Crystal harnesses the power of our Crystal optics and screening technology, ensuring flawless plates that excel in high print output and press stability for all flexo print applications.’

According to Esko, the CDI Crystal drives plate room efficiency, with its enhanced ergonomics leading to a 73% reduction in operator time, while a more streamlined workflow reduces complexity and means manual steps and errors are reduced by 50%. Advanced laser imaging technology and high-resolution optics offer enhanced precision and clarity.

Mr De Roeck added, ‘The XPS Crystal uses a UV LED array instead of mercury tubes used in a traditional main exposure bank light table. This not only significantly improves the quality and consistency of flexo plates, but the UV power required for perfect exposure of a flexo plate is provided uniformly through the preset parameters by a single click per plate type and plate thickness.’

He said that while it was exciting to reach the CDI and XPS sales milestone, Esko was already focusing on further innovation with its flexo solutions, and concluded, ‘We have just unveiled the new CDI Crystal XPS ‘Quartz Edition’ at drupa, adding a top-of-the-line edition to the range and further building on the success of both the CDI and XPS. With this latest innovation, we’re elevating quality to new heights, empowering flexo printers to deliver the absolute highest quality results for their customers.’