EskoArtwork "Shapes the Future" with Complete Workflow and Finishing Solutions

During SGIA 2010 at booth 447, EskoArtwork will demonstrate a comprehensive portfolio of end-to-end workflow and digital finishing solutions. Highlights at the show include i-cut Suite, a collection of pre-production tools that streamlines the workflow for large-format digital printing and finishing, from prepress to the finished product. There will also be demonstrations of the Kongsberg i-XP24, the Kongsberg i-XL 24, and the Kongsberg i-XE10 Auto. EskoArtwork will also be present at the Hewlett Packard Company stand, located in booth 2339, where the Kongsberg i-XP24 will be demonstrated along with the i-cut Suite of pre-production tools. Fujifilm North America, Graphic Systems Division-Sericol Unit, will also be demonstrating i-cut Suite, in booth 2359.

NEW: i-cut Suite raises productivity, saves time and reduces errors i-cut Suite is targeted specifically for companies that drive a large format digital printer and/or digital finishing system, and require professional tools to streamline their workflows.

"For the first time with our new i-cut Suite tools, wide format printing and digital finishing companies will be able to work with a complete, integrated solution," said Bill Hartman, Esko Artwork Vice President, Sign & Display Solutions. "It's comprised of different modules, including i-cut Preflight for efficient PDF preflighting and editing, and i-cut Layout for interactive layout and nesting. For precise and accurate die-less cutting, the i-cut Vision Pro control system is essential."

One of main advantages of i-cut Suite software is that users don't have to return to a native application, working within a PDF file. Furthermore, it reduces errors by spotting them before RIPping, and it optimizes the layout, which ultimately reduces material costs and minimizes set-up time. Users with more specific requirements can easily also add supplementary modules: a structural design module to allow integration with all standard structural design programs; a graphics preparation module to create the cutting contour on both vector files and images; and a true shape nesting module offering a powerful, true shape nesting solution, particularly for irregular shapes.

On display is the Kongsberg i-XP 24, the world's fastest digital finishing system. It perfectly complements today's wide format digital printers, enabling a complete digital finishing production workflow.

The Kongsberg i-XP series is designed for POP and in-store displays as well as high volume signage, providing a fast, flexible and highly reliable solution for short run production up to about 1,000 sheets or stacks of material up to three feet high. With a maximum working area of 87x126 inches and a maximum speed of 66 inches per second, the i-XP series can convert a wide range of board, sheet and roll materials, including vinyl, all grades of display carton, corrugated plastic, foam boards, and rigid display materials such as MDF, plywood, PVC and acrylics. An optional conveyor extension along with an AutoFeeder with scissor-lift and transfer cart system expands the quantity of print runs that can be pre-stacked. The seamless workflow no longer requires an operator to restack or transfer materials.

"With faster large format digital printers comes a stronger demand for a higher capacity automatic finishing solution for printed display materials," said Hartman. "The i-XP helps turn short-run POP work into profitable, value added jobs. Sign and display shops can now offer their customers on-demand production with just-in-time delivery.

The Kongsberg i-XE10 Auto is equipped with a fully automated sheet feeder and off load stacker, specifically designed for finishing small-format, prototype, sample and short-run digital printed materials. The sheet feeder system automatically loads and places the printed materials on the table. The 'Pick and Place' automated stacker enables non-stop sorting, neatly stacking finished pieces. The system also automatically separates waste from the finished items. As a result, the machine can run virtually unattended, delivering significant savings on man-hours. The Kongsberg i-XE10 Auto combines high production speed and precision with easy operation. It opens opportunities for creative, new applications with irregular shapes or finishing structures. It can handle a maximum sheet size of 35x47 inches at a maximum speed of 52.5 inches/second.

Perfect for signs and displays The Kongsberg i-XL 24, the workhorse of the product line and best-selling Kongsberg finishing system among sign and display companies, offers a comprehensive finishing solution for the widest range of materials, providing automation, high productivity and outstanding precision. At SGIA 2010, it will be equipped with i-cut 7.0, the latest version of the global standard i-cut vision system. The i-XL systems, with a maximum material size of 87x120 inches, can be delivered with the optional conveyor extension, along with the AutoFeeder and scissor-lift system.

"SGIA is always an opportune time to present new products to the sign and display industry in the Americas, and it's the ideal backdrop and timing to introduce our new solutions," said Hartman. "We are committed to "shaping the future" of our customers´ business and this industry. Across the 'design-to-print-to-cut' spectrum of printed graphics production, EskoArtwork solutions improve each step of the process. In the design phase, application tools improve the graphic and structural design. In the print stage, i-cut Suite tools improve prepress productivity and i-cut's workflow integration with RIP software allows the seamless, automated creation of cut ready files for finishing operations. And, in the cut phase, the Kongsberg finishing tables provide flexible, versatile and productive finishing, transforming printed graphics into usable products."