Gent (Belgium), March 2007 - Esko, the world leader in digital imaging of flexo plates as well as packaging preproduction solutions, announces the introduction of the Cyrel Digital Imager (CDI) Spark 5080. The latest addition to the world's leading digital imagers for flexo plates, the Esko CDI Spark 5080 has been specifically developed to address the requirements of corrugated converters and their large format plate demands. "Our contacts with customers indicated a need for a full-sized flexo imager that could produce larger format price-effective plates for corrugated converters," comments Jan Buchweitz, Esko CDI product manager. "The Esko CDI Spark 5080 was built with the same high level of consistency in quality and reliability our customers have come to expect from us." The Esko CDI Spark 5080 runs all digital flexo plates as large as 50" x 80" (1270x2032mm) and as thick as 7.35mm (a little larger than 1/4 inch). Customers can image full format plates or ablative film, or partial plates of any size. The Esko CDI Spark 5080 has also been designed with enhanced ergonomics. Loading and unloading of large, thick plates is assisted by an air-supported loading table that makes it easy to move plates in place-securing them in place is just as easy with the Esko EasyClamp III pneumatic clamp. When the Esko CDI Spark 5080 is installed with an Optics 80 laser system, full sized plates can be imaged in just 19 minutes at 2540 dpi. Image quality is exceptional, with resolutions of 2,000-4,000 ppi, capable of printing up to 200 lpi screens and 1-99% dots. The Esko CDI Spark 5080 comes with Grapholas software that allows for last minute changes, imposes files, and is loaded with unique flexo dedicated and cost reducing features, such as plate usage optimization, cut marks and customizable register marks. Most important, Esko customers derive most of their value from the breadth of the company's product line and the extent of the company's consultative guidance. Like the other Esko CDI family members, the new Esko CDI Spark 5080 is perfectly integrated into the workflow solution of the Esko Digital Flexo Suite for Corrugated. "As a systems provider and integrator, Esko continues to develop hardware and software products that work seamlessly together to provide comprehensive prepress solutions," adds Buchweitz. "The Esko CDI Spark 5080 integrates easily into highly demanding production environments where last minute changes and rush jobs are daily requirements. Through Esko's vast experience in digital flexo workflows, a rich and unique set of flexo-dedicated features is within reach of the Esko CDI Spark customer, including structural design, graphic art preproduction, state of the art screening and dot gain compensation tools. I am confident that corrugated converters will find the Esko CDI Spark 5080 and the Esko Digital Flexo Suite an unbeatable combination."