The investment in world-class platemaking process technology includes the latest Automation Engine prepress workflow as well as the latest screening technology for flexo printing. It will enable Amjet Shanghai to focus on the highest definition flexo production technology for flexible packaging and labels.

With the new solution, Amjet Shanghai, a repeated winner of the FTA Award in the United States, aims to combine greater prepress workflow and the highest quality screening technology to improve efficiency and to enhance the quality of its packaging and printing.

Precise Crystal control

The new and unique CDI Crystal XPS is a digitally-controlled exposure unit supporting all photopolymer flexo plates. The combined solution reduces five manual steps in the traditional platemaking process to just one step. The platemaking device integrates with the entire prepress workflow, including Device Manager, to optimally control the output of plates.

Plates are placed onto the glass surface, where very accurate back and main exposures - by patented LED UV light technology that allows very precise control - are conducted simultaneously. The consistent light source and nearly concurrent back and main exposure deliver unmatched relief and image consistency combined with perfectly formed flat-top dots. As a result, these plates deliver the highest level of consistency and quality on press.

One of the primary factors influencing plate stability is UV exposure. It has also been proven that the shorter the time (dwell) between main exposure and back exposure, the finer the detail, such as highlight dots, tiny linework, and text, can be held on the plate. The CDI Crystal XPS completes these exposures nearly simultaneously, providing the absolute highest quality dot and fine elements.?

Automation Engine manages Flexo Platemaking

Automation Engine enables a fully-automated platemaking workflow, from ripped files all the way to the exposed plate on the CDI Crystal XPS, without operator intervention. With Device Manager, anyone that needs to know what the status of a job is, can check from the comfort of their desks. Jobs can quickly and easily be placed in queues, and queues can be modified as needed. This automation not only saves valuable operator time, but also time in the platemaking process to help meet customer customer demand.

Geert de Proost, Director Solutions Marketing for Esko, states, “With our new flexo platemaking solutions, we ensure that flexo printing maintains its prominent position and is ready for the business challenges of label and flexo converters today.”

The CDI Crystal and XPS Crystal UV exposure unit was unveiled by Esko at Drupa 2016. Accolades include the Red Dot Design Award, the Printing Industries of America (PIA) InterTech? Technology Award, the American Flexo Association / Graphic Arts Association of Technology Innovation Award and the FlexoTech Innovation Award.