EskoArtwork Kicks Off Drupa Discovery Tour

Published: March 27, 2008, By By Claudia Hine, Managing Editor

GENT, BELGIUM (March 20) | On Day One of Duomedia’s Drupa Discovery Tour, 83 journalists gathered from 26 countries, representing more than 100 publications, including PFFC and its sister publication, American Printer. The meeting promised an opportunity to preview the hardware and software introductions from a number of suppliers that we’ll see at the upcoming print show in Dusseldorf, Germany, May 29–June 11.

First up was EskoArtwork president/CEO Carsten Knudsen, who reported the company will occupy 800 sq m of exhibit space at stand A23 in hall 8b under a theme of “Connect More!” On the software side, Esko will present Studio and Studio toolkits, plug-ins that bring interactive 3D package design to Adobe Illustrator. Studio is said to reduce the need for multiple, costly mockups and to spot design errors faster. Studio Toolkits for Flexibles supports pillow bags, gusseted bags, and stand-up pouches, while Studio Toolkits for Boxes allows designers to create box shapes that can be decorated and folded inside Adobe Illustrator.

Dynamic Content is a new plug-in that links text content with any Adobe Illustrator artwork file to separate the package’s textual content from its layout. Editing and approving can be handled separately, reducing time to market.

Cyrel Digital Imager (CDI) Spark 4260 Auto for flexographic plates is built for fully automated plate loading, imaging, and unloading. Targeted at the flexible packaging and folding carton market, the unit is able to process three full-size digital flexo plates at once.

CDI Advanced Cantilever platesetter, built for the wide web flexible packaging market, comes with a cantilevered air cylinder said to allow for a very fast exchange of print sleeves without the need for additional handling equipment such as a crane. The unit enhances throughput, as the removal of the mandrels and the offline exchange of print sleeves is no longer required.

The introduction of three models in the Kongsberg XP series of digital cutting tables targets corrugated packaging companies and manufacturers of POP displays that need a fast, reliable solution for short-run production. The machines are designed for continuous, high-speed manufacture of all grades of corrugated board, display carton, corrugated plastic, and other substrates.

Also presented at Drupa will be a fully integrated, end-to-end JDF workflow for package production said to enable streamlined and efficient communication of production-critical data across the supply chain. Package developers, graphic designers, prepress departments, engraving plants, print shops, converters, and brand owners reportedly save time, cost, and materials. Claimed to reduce errors, cut paper waste, and provide traceability of the entire process.

Knudsen also announces the company’s acquisition of Gent-based Gradual Software, whose staff, assets, and technology will be merged with EskoArtwork’s Enfocus operations. Peter Camps, founder of Gradual Software, joins the EskoArtwork management team as Sr. VP of Enfocus.

Look for more details on these and other product launches in upcoming issues of PFFC and AP, and watch for future updates of the Drupa Discovery tour on our websites: www.pffc-online.com and www.americanprinter.com.