Gent, Belgium – October 1, 2003 - Esko-Graphics, the market leader in CtP and packaging solutions and world leader in digital imaging of flexo plates, announces the launch of a semi-automatic version of the Cyrel? Digital Imager (CDI) Advance platesetter. The new system features a trolley and lift system that raises the flexo plate to a plate loading table for easy mounting on the drum, eliminating the need of lifting large and heavy plates. Introduced in April 2003, the Esko-Graphics CDI Advance is a newly engineered digital imager with features that make it more user-friendly and ergonomic. It allows easier operation and can accommodate both plates and sleeves, while assuring the highest level of imaging quality and productivity. “Esko-Graphics understands how delicate it is to transport and load plates onto a platesetter drum,” says Jan Buchweitz, CDI product manager. “The semi-automatic CDI Advance platesetter protects the plate from damage, such as kinks and folds, and eases the strain on the operator, thus increasing productivity. It will be an appreciated feature for many platemakers.” The new CDI Advance semi-automatic is delivered with a semi automatic-plate-loader (APL); a ‘trolley’ that contains 16 cassettes – each available to hold similar or different-sized plates up to 50” x 80”. Once plates are loaded into each cassette, the trolley is rolled and docked into place onto a lift located behind the platesetter. The operator selects the position number of the desired cassette, and the lift automatically moves the cassette and plate to the EasyClamp drum. From there, the user can easily slide the plate into place onto the drum. When imaging is complete, the plate is removed and slid back into the cassette. When all plates are imaged (as many as 16), the trolley is rolled away from the platesetter, and plates are removed from the cassettes for UV exposure. For emergency jobs, the operator has immediate access to imaged plates from the top cassette. Thus, the APL provides greater productivity with less downtime, because each plate is quickly and easily offered directly to the EasyClamp drum. With less strain on the plates, there is less likelihood for damage. And, if two trolleys are used, 16 plates can be imaged while the other trolley is unloaded of imaged plates, and loaded with new plates. The CDI Advance is available in three productivity levels: the CDI Advance 15 (1.5 m2/hour), the CDI Advance 25 (2.5 m2/hour) and the CDI Advance 40 (4.0 m2/hour). The 8-beam optics guarantees the finest details on the flexo plates. The CDI Advance is equipped with a loading plate to support plate loading if ordered without the Semi-APL. Furthermore, the CDI Advance can mount EasyClamp drums (50”x80” and 42”x60”) and has the SleeveOption with mandrel/drum exchange support. The latter two require minimal effort from the operator and guarantees, when dismantling and mounting, easy and all ergonomic access to the drum or mandrels.