Gent (Belgium) – EskoArtwork will demonstrate during Fespa 2010, at Stand 270 in Hall B1, its comprehensive portfolio of end-to-end workflow and digital finishing solutions. Highlights at the show – which takes place from June 22nd to 26th in Munich, Germany – include the introduction of i-cut production software, the collection of pre-production solutions that streamline the workflow for the large-format digital printing and finishing throughout the entire production process, from prepress to the finished product. There will also be live demonstrations of the new Kongsberg i-XE10 Automated and the most successful Kongsberg XP product lines for sign makers and digital printing converters. EskoArtwork will also be present at the HP Scitex stand,  located in Hall B2 stand 120, where the Kongsberg i-XL will be demonstrated along with the EskoArtwork pre-production solutions.

"Fespa is this year's most important event for the sign and display industry in Europe, and it's the ideal backdrop and timing to introduce our new solutions," says Nicolai Gradman, EskoArtwork Senior Vice President CAM & Supply Chain. "We are committed to "shape the future" of our customers' business and of this industry. Across the 'design-to-print-to-cut' spectrum of printed graphics production, EskoArtwork solutions improve each step of the process. In the design phase, application tools improve the graphic and structural design, editing and layout of files to make them print-ready. In the print stage, our workflow integration with RIP software allows the seamless, automated creation of cut ready files for finishing operations. And, in the cut phase, the Kongsberg finishing tables provide flexible, versatile and productive finishing, transforming printed graphics into usable products."

EskoArtwork's new solutions reflect the needs of today's digital printing and finishing markets. The Kongsberg i-XE10 Automated offers the fastest and most productive solution for finishing a wide variety of creative digital print applications. With the new automation features, digital printing companies can bring production in-house. It allows them to not only improve turnaround times but also saves on the use of dies while reducing costs. The Kongsberg i-XE10 Automated works along any small-format to medium-size digital press and is a profitable solution to finish a wide range of digitally printed applications up to print-runs of several thousands, depending in design complexity.

Building on its experience developing prepress and workflow solutions, EskoArtwork also introduces a new range of software tools called i-cut production software. "EskoArtwork is doing something very different in this industry by offering a complete workflow solution from design through finishing," adds Gradman. "This industry lacks dedicated tools to streamline operations, improve throughput, and reduce errors and material waste. This is an issue that many converters are even not aware of. We are convinced this is set to change when they experience the enhanced i-cut production software."

New – i-cut production software raises productivity, saves time and reduces errors
The i-cut production software is targeted specifically at companies that drive a large format digital printer and/or digital finishing system and require professional tools to streamline their workflow. i-cut production software is part of the EskoArtwork Suite 10 of design, pre-production and automated workflow solutions.

"For the first time, wide format printing and digital finishing companies will be able to work with a complete, integrated solution, with our new i-cut software," explains Gradman. "It's comprised of different modules, with i-cut Preflight for efficient PDF preflighting and editing, i-cut Automate for data workflow and i-cut Layout for interactive layout and nesting. For precise and accurate die-less cutting, the i-cut Vision Pro control system is essential."

One of main advantages of i-cut production software is that users don't have to go back to a native application, working within a PDF file. Furthermore, it reduces errors by spotting them before RIPping, and it optimizes the layout, which ultimately reduces material costs and minimizes the set-up time. Users with more specific requirements can easily also add additional modules: Structural Design module that allows integration with all standard structural design programs and contains a brand-new box builder function; Graphics Preparation module to create the cutting contour on both vector files and images and True Shape Nesting module offering a powerful true shape nesting solution, particularly for irregular shapes.

New – Kongsberg i-XE10 Automated digital finishing
The Kongsberg i-XE10 Automated is equipped with a newly designed stacker and sheet feeding system, and has been specifically designed to meet the growing demand for finishing small-format, short-run digital printed materials.. It opens opportunities for creative, new applications with irregular shapes or finishing structures, such as folders, greeting and business cards, small signs and displays, packaging, flyers and many more novel applications.

The sheet feeder system automatically loads and places the printed materials on the table. The automated stacker enables non-stop sorting and neatly stacks the finished parts. The system also automatically separates  waste from the finished items.. As a result, the machine can run unattended, delivering a significant saving on man-hours. The Kongsberg i-XE10 itself combines high production speed and precision with easy operation. It can handle a maximum sheet size of 900 mm x 1200 mm at a maximum speed of 80 m/min.

Kongsberg XP, a true production machine
The Kongsberg XP series is designed to operate continuously in a 24/7 production environment. It is targeted at manufacturers of POP and permanent in-store product displays that need a fast and highly reliable solution for short-run production. With the launch of the Kongsberg XP digital cutting table in 2009, EskoArtwork offered a faster and equally highly reliable solution, specifically suited for short-run production-and the market responded positively with more than 60 successful operational installations worldwide. Customers such as the STI Group in Germany, Third Dimension in the US and Artbox in Sweden to name a few, are enjoying a tangible ROI through dramatically increased productivity and efficiency, reduced costs and faster turnaround times.

On the second day of the show – June 24th – EskoArtwork product specialists Ruben Cagnie and Einar Ek are presenting the latest novelties in the Fespa Innovation Theatre at 13.00.