Gent (Belgium), June 8, 2005 – Esko-Graphics, the world leader in digital imaging of flexo plates, announces the introduction of the Cyrel Digital Imager (CDI) Spark II, the next generation of the company’s popular flexo imager. The CDI Spark II boasts a new plate loading table similar to the one delivered on the Spark XT, and the new EasyClamp II drum for easier and faster plate loading. Based on proven CDI technology, CDI Spark flexo imagers are popular among tag, label, and carton printers – as well as small volume flexo plate producers in general. Like all members of the CDI family, the CDI Spark II is equipped with a fiber laser and multiple beam optics for highest quality and productivity at low drum speeds. The CDI Spark II is delivered at three productivity/speed options: Optics 7.5 offers a productivity of up to 0.75m (29.5in.) per hour, Optics 15 offers up to 1.5m (59 in.) per hour, and Optics 25 allows up 2.5m (98.4 in.) per hour of imaging productivity. The Spark II is able to image flexo plates 635mm x 762mm (25” x 30”) or smaller, and foil-based letterpress plates or ablative film as large as 635mm x 815mm (25” x 32”). The Letterpress Option with a magnet-vacuum drum can image steel-backed letterpress plates as large as 635mm x 815mm (25” x 32”). The new EasyClamp II drum is similar to Esko-Graphics’ original EasyClamp drum, in that there is no need for any tape to mount full format plates onto it. The new clamp design now provides separate front and tail plate loading with a simple one-turn operation, making plate mounting faster than ever. The CDI Spark II is prepared for Inline UV-Main Exposure, which enables plate imaging and UV main exposure to occur simultaneously in one device. Combining these two process steps delivers both economic and quality benefits, eliminating about fifteen minutes of processing per plate – as well as lower labor costs thanks to less operator handling. Testing has demonstrated that Inline UV-Main Exposure technology results in a remarkable reduction of photopolymer plate wastage by bringing the plate into a safer condition and requiring less operator handling. “The new generation of Spark II CDI flexo imagers have been built to make it easier for prepress departments to handle and process plates,” comments Jan Buchweitz, Product Manager Digital Flexo. “The new EasyClamp II will allow operators to mount plates faster and more securely on the drum as well as to reduce plate wastage.” The CDI Spark II is available now.