Ghent (Belgium), September 2005 – Esko-Graphics, the market leader in packaging pre-production solutions, announces the introduction of the Kongsberg XF10, a small-format dieless cutting table. The XF10 is based on the technology and robust architecture of the Esko-Graphics Kongsberg cutting and creasing table, scaled down to a new platform and smaller format. The new table is designed to offer a fast, productive solution for sign, decal and other specialty print applications, as well as for samplemaking of folding carton boxes. “The current Kongsberg table product line has been pretty complete, but we found it was lacking a more dedicated solution for smaller-format packaging materials like folding cartons. We also identified a growing need for a cutting solution for specialty graphic and screen print shops producing decals, labels and signs on flexible materials like vinyl. To serve both these needs , we developed the XF10, a small table that can deliver excellent cutting precision and quality at high speeds,” states Tom Erik Naess, Esko-Graphics' Product Manager Samplemaking and SRP. The work area of the XF10 is 800 x 1100 mm (31.5” x 43.3”) and it can accept material as large as 900 x 1200mm (35.4” x 47.2”). The XF10's new feature set includes rack-and-pinion X/Y drive with precise motion control, new and fast servo system and an entirely new, faster toolset, designed for lightening-fast motion, which is important to increase productivity. Tooling options include a pressure controlled kiss-cutting knife tool, a knife tool with high-precision, programmable cutting depth, a static knife tool for solid materials, a reciprocating knife tool for corrugated and foam board, and a crease tool for packaging materials. The tooling comes with quick connectors, including electrical connections and automatic tool identification, for fast and trouble-free changeovers. “Together with our partner, Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering (MGE), we have also produced the i-XF10, a version of the table perfectly suited for cutting screen or digitally printed materials with exceptional productivity and quality, along with low production costs. It provides ample automation and throughput to offer a true digital production alternative,” adds Mr. Naess. The i-XF10 tooling system features the integrated MGE i-cut camera, a key component of the patented i-cut vision system for obtaining perfect cut-to-print alignment—a significant advantage over fixed diecutting. The i-cut camera measures the register marks on each printed piece placed on the i-XF10 table, for extremely accurate registration that compensates for local or overall distortion of the material, even handling non-linear distortions with ease. The Kongsberg i-XF10 can load materials in different ways. Users can load sheets manually onto the table or, assisted by a belt feed mechanism, the table can automatically stack printed material onto the cutting bed either as individual sheets with the help of a new MGE sheet feeder or fed from a continuous roll. The i-XF10 will be ready for delivery by mid October this year and will be distributed to North American signmaking, screen and digital printing markets by MGE. Esko-Graphics will distribute the system to the packaging markets.