At Booth #3759 during the ISA International Sign Expo 2013, April 3-6, in Las Vegas, Esko will demonstrate a comprehensive portfolio of end-to-end print to cut workflows for sign and display shops from prepress to finished product. The slate of products includes the complete i-cut Suite automated workflow specifically designed for sign and display production, and a range of three Kongsberg tables.
i-cut Suite highlights focus on wide format
i-cut Suite, a 2012 InterTech™ Technology award recipient, lets companies that drive narrow or large format digital printers and/or digital finishing systems streamline their workflows. Many sign and display companies are benefitting from i-cut Suite’s automated workflow tools. i-cut Suite components include:
i-cut Preflight handles efficient preflighting and editing of incoming PDF files, ensuring that jobs will RIP and print correctly. It also lets users make any corrections working within the PDF file.
i-cut Layout is a module to interactively build and edit sheet layouts, ensuring that jobs make the optimum use of the substrate through intelligent true shape nesting and tiling.
i-cut Vision Pro makes sure that die-less cutting contours match printed images perfectly. Often, slight distortions between printed graphics and contour cuts may cause unacceptable results. i-cut Vision Pro registers the actual dimensions and positions on the printed result.
With i-cut Automate, all of these functions are automated in a single workflow, with less operator intervention and fewer potential manual errors.
Software to make structural and graphic designs easier
In an industry that is becoming more commoditized, sign and display shops are finding that unique, 3D display projects offer higher margins. This is the reason why more and more companies are investing in ArtiosCAD for structural design. ArtiosCAD 12 brings customers many time-saving features. Its extensive library of resizable display designs helps designers so that they do not have to start from scratch designing new displays. Its Tab & Slot tool ‘assembles’ components of a display with just a few clicks. The Mate tool helps to build and visualize connected folds and multiple parts. Users can identify glue areas and corresponding targets to quickly connect designs or perform simple assembly of displays. Support for thicker materials such as papercore-board, along with correctly designing V-notches and edge bands make it easier to visualize and convert designs of this material.
Why work in a flat world if displays aren’t? Studio 12 is a unique set of tools for 3D structural design made specifically for display artwork professionals. Studio helps produce better artwork, by allowing users to virtually view 3D displays and rotate them for a complete view. Studio also lets users create exciting 3D visuals to show to clients, ranging from PDF files with 3D content to movies.
Kongsberg XN provides power and flexibility for any sign & display application
Three Kongsberg tables will be shown on the Esko booth. The Kongsberg XN the most versatile digital finishing device ever introduced. Working with just about any material from vinyls to boards to wood, the Kongsberg XN is perfect for any job or application. It is available in seven different sizes from 66 inches-by-50 inches to 87 inches-by-258 inches.
A choice of five tool heads and a full assortment of insert tools guarantee versatility. The Kongsberg XN can be easily configured for the widest range of applications: from kiss-cutting to heavy-duty milling. Most important, the new Kongsberg XN can be equipped with its very powerful, optional 3kW, water-cooled milling spindle, the MultiCUT-HP. With this new high-powered tool head, the Kongsberg XN offers up to three times more routing productivity. Even when processing the most challenging materials, it keeps a productive, consistent speed. With the power-saving variable vacuum hold-down technology, it also consumes less energy.
Newly developed tools include solid board and corrugated paper-core board v-notching inserts. Productivity add-ons are available like a material conveyor, an AutoFeeder and a Roll-Off unit.
With graphic printing, distortion can occur where the printed graphics and the die line may not match, causing unacceptable results. When integrated with i-cut Vision Pro, Kongsberg tables can assure the die-less cutting contours match the printed images. i-cut Vision Pro perfectly registers the actual printed result to the digital die line every time.
The Kongsberg XP24: the world’s fastest digital finishing system
Also on display at ISA is the Kongsberg XP24, the world’s fastest digital finishing system. The XP helps turn short-run POP / POS displays into profitable, value added jobs, helping sign and display shops offer their customers on-demand production with just-in-time delivery. With a maximum working area of 87″x126″ and a maximum speed of 66″ inches per second, the XP series can convert a wide range of board, sheet and roll materials.
Kongsberg i-XE10 Auto digital finishing system
At ISA, 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 – rolls or sheets can be processed. The sheet feeder system automatically loads and places 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. The Kongsberg i-XE10 Auto opens opportunities for creative, new applications with irregular shapes or finishing structures. It can handle a maximum sheet size of 35 inches-by-47 inches.
“Automated workflow solutions are changing the way sign and display companies operate, making them more competitive with new products–such as 3D designs–and greater productivity. Esko i-cut Suite is at the forefront of this trend,” comments Bill Hartman, Esko Vice President, Sign & Display Solutions. “In addition, our Kongsberg tables continue to prove that jobs don’t end with printing, nor does finishing need to be outsourced. There is great benefit to building very capable in-house structural design and finishing departments. We look forward to showing ISA attendees these significant tools to differentiate themselves in the market.”
For more information about Esko Sign & Display products, please visit www.esko.com/SignandDisplay.
