Esko's new Kongsberg C series to be launched at SGIA

Esko, a global supplier in integrated solutions for the packaging and labels, sign and display, commercial printing and professional publishing industries, will launch a completely new Kongsberg digital finishing platform when it demonstrates the Kongsberg C64 at booth 1201 during the 2013 SGIA Expo, to be held during October 23-25 in Orlando Florida. Esko will also display its new i-cut Production Console software interface for operating Kongsberg tables.

SGIA will be the venue for the global launch of the new Kongsberg C digital finishing series. "This is not just a new Kongsberg table—it's a completely re-engineered and redesigned platform for Kongsberg finishing systems. We call this the C-series after a decade of the highly successful and well known Kongsberg X-series,” enthuses Steve Bennett, Esko Vice President, Digital Finishing Business. "Among the many great new features, one of the eye catchers will be the innovative composite traverse technology that provides the fastest throughput along with the highest quality and precision in cutting and routing compared to all other systems of the same size. Just as impressive, the Kongsberg C provides the highest versatility for all sign, display and packaging applications. It does all this while making it easy to use the machine—from the new, simple interface to the ease of replacing tools on the table,” he added.

At SGIA Esko will demonstrate the Kongsberg C64 model: it works with 126” wide x 126” long (3210mm by 3200mm) materials to accommodate today's large format printing sizes. Also available will be the Kongsberg C60 model to accommodate 126” wide x 63” long (3210mm x 1600mm) sizes.

Being previewed at SGIA will also be the i-cut Production Console, a new, easier to use front-end to operate and manage the Kongsberg digital finishing systems. The i-cut Production Console is designed for all applications on all Kongsberg tables and will be demonstrated on a Kongsberg XN 24 at SGIA.

Aside from the new Kongsberg C64 table, Esko's popular line of cutting tables will be displayed on their booth. The lineup includes the Kongsberg XN, Esko's most versatile, mid-range digital finishing device. Working with just about any substrate, from thin flexibles, to foam, to fluted materials, to rigid boards, the Kongsberg XN is perfect for any job or application. It can be easily configured for the widest range of applications: from kiss cutting to heavy-duty milling. Most important, the Kongsberg XN can be equipped with its very powerful, optional 3kW, water-cooled milling spindle, the MultiCUT- High Power, offering up to three times more milling productivity. The Kongsberg XN offers a variety of proven options including cutting registration to printed artwork, tool heads and tool inserts to extend flexibility, productivity add-ons like a material conveyor, an AutoFeeder or a Roll-Off unit.

Software plays an important role in the entire Esko offering for specialty graphic shops. For example, i-cut Suite, an InterTechâ„¢ Technology Award recipient, lets companies that drive narrow or large format digital printers and/or digital finishing systems streamline their workflows.

Also, in a more commoditized market, sign and display shops are realizing that unique 3D display projects offer higher margins. More and more companies are investing in ArtiosCAD for structural design. ArtiosCAD 12 has an extensive library of resizable display designs to help designers so they do not have to start from scratch designing new displays.

At the Esko booth, representatives of Danaher sister-company X-Rite Pantone will also demonstrate how brand colors can be consistent for the sign and display market.   Besides,  at the HP (booth 1628), Esko will be offering workflow software demonstrations of Esko's front-end systems for HP Scitex high-volume industrial printers. Xpedex, (booth 2816) will be showing at a Kongsberg i-XP 24 digital finishing system. The i-XP helps turn signage and POP/POS display work into profitable, value added jobs, helping sign and display shops offer their customers on-demand production with just-in-time delivery.