Highcon Systems Ltd is pleased to announce a commercial and technological cooperation agreement with Esko to integrate the Esko ArtiosCAD structural design and manufacturing software with the world’s first digital cutting and creasing machine, the Highcon Euclid.

ArtiosCAD is the world’s most popular software for packaging professionals, with dedicated tools for structural design, product development, virtual prototyping and manufacturing. The Highcon Euclid will process ArtiosCAD designs to be digitally cut and creased.

Miki Zimmer, Co-Founder and COO of Highcon said “Throughout the development of the Euclid we have focused on combining our own technology with that of best-in- class suppliers, to deliver optimized solutions to the customer. There is no doubt Esko is our first choice of workflow partner.”

Bernard Zwaenepoel, Senior VP Software Business of Esko said: "We are proud to be part of the game-changing revolution that Highcon is bringing to the folding carton market.  As the world’s major player in packaging prepress workflow, Esko is the natural partner to also drive this digital cutting and creasing revolution together with Highcon.”

The Highcon Euclid digital cutting and creasing machine

Highcon’s Direct-to-Pack solution uses entirely new technology to eliminate conventional dies and deliver high quality cut and creased sheets from digital data. With the Highcon Euclid, turnaround times are cut dramatically while run lengths up to 10,000 sheets become attractive and profitable for the converter.

The Highcon Euclid accepts digital files from standard sources, such as Esko ArtiosCAD, that contain the carton’s cutting and creasing information within two layers. The creasing layer information is used to rapidly create the Highcon  DART, laying polymer rules onto a foil mounted on the creasing cylinder. Complete setup  takes approximately fifteen minutes and then production begins. The second data layer controls three CO₂ lasers and an innovative Highcon scanning system which cuts and perforates the cartons in high quality at production speeds prior to stacking.

Both Esko and Highcon will be exhibiting at drupa 2012 in Dusseldorf in May and visitors will be able to see the results of the collaboration on the Highcon booth, B28 in Hall 4.